Award Winners

Each year the Iowa Restaurant Association honors its top hospitality professionals at the annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Ceremony.

*Click winners names to view award winner videos!!*

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award*
2014 Robert Anderson

Establishment
Iowa Culinary Institute, DMACC

City
Ankeny

Restaurateur/Tavern Operator of the Year Winners

Restaurateur/Tavern Operator of the Year

2022 Mike & Cindy Breitbach

2021 Adrie Groeneweg

2020 Matt Johnson
2019 Robert Johnson
2018 Chef Benjamin Smart
2017 Paul Rottenberg
2016 Chef Rene Orduna & Rob Gilmer
2015 Lynn & Sarah Pritchard
2014 George Migliero
2013 Jeff Duncan
2012 Bruce Gerleman
2011 Michael LaValle
2010 Mike Rastrelli
2009 Mike Whalen
2008 Darin Beck
2007 Scott Carlson
2006 Garry and Jeannie Heiar
2005 Paul Trostel
2004 Jeff Vaassen
2003 Bobby Tursi
2002 Cy Gushiken
2001 Windy and Helen Kalmes
2000 Cindy Bramblett
1999 Tom King and Jeff Schall
1998 Mike Whalen
1997 Devin Rowling
1996 Patricia and Leon Schade
1995 Bill Leichsenring

Restaurant

Breitbach’s Country Dining

Pizza Ranch

Barley’s Bar
B-Bops
Big Grove Brewery, Pullman & St. Birch Tavern
Orchestrate Hospitality
Dixie Quicks
Table 128 Bistro + Bar
G-Mig’s 5th Street Pub
Two Rivers Hospitality Group
Splash and Jethro’s
Embassy Club West
Rastrelli’s Restaurant
Heart of America Restaurants & Inns
Barmuda MMC
Court Ave. Restaurant & Brewing Co.
Morocco Supper Club
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Culver’s
Latin King
Ohana Steakhouse
Kalmes Enterprises
Nickers Grille
Country Junction Restaurant
Heart of America Restaurants & Inns
Cosi Cucina
Best Western Regency Inn
Ox Yoke Inn

City

Balltown

Orange City

Council Bluffs
Des Moines
Solon, Iowa City
Des Moines
Council Bluffs
Clive
West Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
West Des Moines
Clinton
Quad Cities
Cedar Falls
Des Moines
Dubuque
Johnston
Ankeny/Des Moines
Des Moines
West Des Moines
St. Donatus
Cedar Falls
Dyersville
Quad Cities
Clive
Marshalltown
Amana

Chef of the Year Winners

Chef of the Year

2022 Chef Joe Tripp

2021 Chef Samuel Charles

2020 Jeremy Moskowitz
2019 Kevin Scharpf
2018 Chef Aaron Holt
2017 Ross Clark
2016 Courtney Oberender
2015 Mike Holman
2014 Dominic Iannarelli
2013 Johan Larsson
2012 John Andres
2011 George Formaro
2010 Patricia Weidner
2009 Ephraim Malag
2008 Mark Black
2007 Christopher Graham
2006 Clint Goodman
2005 Brice Dix
2004 Bryan Tyler
2003 Kevin Rinehart
2002 Kevin Rinehart
2001 David Meyer
2000 Troy Trostel
1999 Eran Salzman
1998 David Dettman
1997 Tony Pelican
1996 Doug Smith
1995 Ron Hall

Restaurant

Harbinger & Little Brother

Rodina

Duck City Bistro
Brazen’s Open Kitchen + Bar
RoCA
Roux’s
Gateway Market & Cafe
Two Rivers Hospitality Group
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill/Jethro’s
Django
BOS – Savery Hotel
Orchestrate Hospitality
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino
Tournament Club of Iowa
Ameristar Casino
Ferrari’s Ristorante
Daniel Arthur’s Restaurant
Bourbon Street and Voodoo Lounge
The Machine Shed
Iowa Machine Shed
Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant
Vino’s Italian Ristorante
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Fresh Food Concepts
Kirkwood Community College
Historic Strawtown Inn
Cosi Cucina
Mercy Hospital

City

Des Moines

Cedar Rapids

Davenport
Dubuque
Des Moines
Woodbine
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Altoona
Polk City
Council Bluffs
Cedar Falls
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Falls
Davenport
Urbandale
Urbandale
Cedar Rapids
Johnston
Iowa City
Cedar Rapids
Pella
Clive
Iowa City

Emerging Hospitality Industry Leader Award Winners

Emerging Hospitality Industry Leader

2022 Haile Duncan

2021 Brett Matlick

2020 Katy Nelson
2019 Chris Diebel
2018 Holly Hintz
2017 Mike Utley
2016 Carl Wertzberger

Restaurant

Mas Margaritas

Dr. Getwell’s

Scenic Route Bakery
Bubba’s Southern Comforts and Teddy Maroons
Creme Cupcake + Dessert
Americana Restaurant & Lounge
Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio

City

Cedar Rapids

Keokuk

Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
West Des Moines

Purveyor Partner of the Year Award Winners

Purveyor Partner of the Year*

2022 John Rasley

2021 Bret Petersen

2020 Justin Woodard
2019 Brad Korkow
2018 Linda Funk
2017 Scott Vermillion
2016 Suzanne Spack
2015 Charlie Campbell
2014 Mark Doll
2013 Jeremy Thompson
2012 Mike Volrath
2011 Randy Brass
2006 Paul Willcockson
2005 Stan Dickman & Vern Hathaway
2004 Doug Coen
2003 Brian Grant
2002 Jeff Braverman
2001 Chester Gatliff
2000 Mark Dreckman
1999 Linda Hefel
1998 John Lappe
1997
1996 Michael Leaders

Company

E&J Gallo Winery

Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.

Sysco Iowa
Society Insurance
The Soyfoods Council
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Sysco Iowa, Inc.
Performance Foodservice TPC
Doll Distributing LLC
Luxco Spirited Brands
Heartland Payment Systems
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Loffredo’s Fresh Produce
Harker’s Distribution, Inc.
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Johnson Brothers
Hawkeye Food Systems, Inc.
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Food Marketing, Inc.
Sysco Food Service of Iowa
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Sysco Food Service of Iowa
Hawkeye Food Service

City

Des Moines

Des Moines

Ankeny
Fon Du Lac, WI
Ankeny
Cedar Falls
Ankeny
Rock Island, IL
Des Moines
Des Moines
Pleasant Hill
Cedar Falls
Des Moines
LeMars
Cedar Falls
Des Moines
Iowa City
Cedar Falls
Des Moines
Des Moines
Cedar Falls
Des Moines
Coralville

Employee of the Year Award Winners

Employee of the Year

2022 Rosa Pinon Reyes

2021 Natasha Johnson

2020 David Basinger
2019 Emily Hudson
2018 Shayna Watts
2017 Elizabeth Kopecky
2016 Bobby Edminster
2015 Chance Hulten
2014 Maria Muhs
2012 Kyle Foote
2011 Michael Beecher
2010 Deanne Plew
2009 Imre Torok
2008 Linda McCallum
2007 Joan Johnson
2006 Kelly Morris
2005 Mary Kay Lueck
2004 Sheree May
2003 Vicki Irwin
2002 Joan Knowlton
2001 Gertie Boddicker
2000 Sue Krapfl
1999 Chrissy Peters
1998 Reeda Buresh
1997 Becky Bell
1996 Mary Christensen

Restaurant

Americana

Rastrelli’s

Rodina
Hemispheres Bistro
Fresh Mediterranean Express
Hickory Park Restaurant, Co.
The Hotel Julien
Court Ave. Restaurant & Brewing Co.
Rastrelli’s Restaurant
The IowaStater
My Verona
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Des Moines Embassy Club
Huntington’s Restaurant
Terrible’s Casino
Culver’s of Ankeny
Country Junction Restaurant
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Pete’s Steakhouse & Lounge
Renaissance Savery Hotel
Ox Yoke Inn Restaurant
Country Junction Restaurant
Nickers Grille
Thunder Bay Grille
Thunder Bay Grille
Kentucky Fried Chicken

City

Des Moines

Clinton

Cedar Rapids
Bettendorf
Waukee
Ames
Dubuque
Des Moines
Clinton
Ames
Cedar Falls
Johnston
Des Moines
Marion
Osceola
Ankeny
Dyersville
Johnston
Hartley
Des Moines
Amana
Dyersville
Cedar Falls
Davenport
Davenport
Mason City

Legislative Leadership of the Year Award Winners

Area

Le Claire

Peosta

Independence
Dyersville
Strawberry Point
Glidden
Johnston
Clive
West Des Moines
Hiawatha
Des Moines
Sioux City
Sioux City
Quad Cities

Restaurant Neighbor/Philanthropy Award Winners

Restaurant/Company

Della Viti Wine Bar

Chuck’s

The Hall

Taste by Unc’s Cheesecakes
Gusto Pizza Co
Trostel’s Greenbriar
Barley’s Bar
Mickey’s Irish Pub
Full Court Press, Inc.
Mercy Hospital
Dos Rios/Big City Burger
ISU Dining
Happy Joe’s Pizza
Devotay
Prairie Meadows Racetrack
Barmuda Companies
Cosi Cucina

CityCity

Ames

Des Moines

West Des Moines

Osage
Des Moines
Johnston
Council Bluffs
Waukee
Des Moines
Iowa City
Des Moines
Ames
Clinton
Iowa City
Altoona
Cedar Falls
Clive

ProStart Educator of Excellence

ProStart Educator of Excellence

2022 Andrea Kuhl

2020 LaRae Arment

2019 Jane Hoegh
2018 Joan Stekl
2017 Tracey Hulme
2016 Lisa Breyfogle
2015 Mary Smith
2014 Elaine Wolf
2013 Laura Calvert
2012 Jenee Cross
2011 Lisa Stange

School

Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Alburnett High School
Hampton-Dumont High School
Cedar Rapids Schools
Waterloo West High School
Cherokee Washington High School
Burlington High School
Des Moines Central Campus
Waukee High School
Davenport Schools
Waukee Schools

City

Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Alburnett
Hampton
Cedar Rapids
Waterloo
Cherokee
Burlington
Des Moines
Waukee
Davenport
Waukee

ProStart Mentor of the Year Award Winners

ProStart Mentor of the Year

2022 Chef George Formaro

2021 Chef Matt Meadows

2020 Aaron Broshar
2019 Michael Gabrielson
2018 Drew Beck
2017 Monica Cross
2016 Valeria Gonzalez
2015 Brice Dix

Company

Orchestrate Hospitality

Isle Casino & Hotel

Blue Barn BBQ
Isle Casino & Hotel
Reinhart Foodservice
PerKup Cafe
North Iowa Area Community College
Hy-Vee

City

Des Moines

Bettendorf

Cedar Falls
Bettendorf
Cedar Rapids
Waterloo
Mason City
Waterloo

IRA Culinary Competition Gold Medalists

Culinary Competition

2020 Matt Drennan
2019 Matt Drennan
2018 Andrew Cardillo
2017 Jason Culbertson
2016 Nick Gunn
2015 Andrew Havlovic
2014 Troy Trostel
2013 Dominic Iannarelli
2012 Andrew Weis
2011
2010 David Garcia
2009 Brian Sonksen
2008
2007 Chris Meyers
2006 Andrew Ungs
2005 Alex Martinov
2004 Robert Beasley

Restaurant

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

The Marriott
Caroline’s Restaurant at The Hotel Julien
McCarthy & Bailey’s Irish Pub
Sidebar
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
Hotel Julien
None
Dubuque Golf & Country Club
SOHO Sushi Bar & Deli
None
Ferrari’s Ristorante
Park Place Event Centre
The Olde Broom Factory
None

City

West Des Moines
West Des Moines
Des Moines
Dubuque
Sioux City
Des Moines
Johnston
Des Moines
Dubuque
None
Dubuque
Cedar Falls
None
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls
None

Iowa's Top Mixologists

Iowa’s Top Mixologist

2021 Carl Busch

2020 Jake Humburg
2019 Ryan Jeffrey
2018 Ingrid Folkers
2017 Joel Kane
2016 Josh O’Connell
2015 Chris Martin
2014 Rex Schulze
2013 Carl Busch
2012 Ashley Billiet
2011 Eric Sergesketter
2010 Nate Novotny

Bar/Restaurant

Alchemix Bar

Table 128 Bistro + Bar
Arcadia Cafe
Whiskey Road
Bata’s Restaurant
Black Sheep Social Club
Pullman Bar & Diner
Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
Winifred’s
Pints
Van’s Pub & Pizza
Dos Rios Cantina & Tequila Lounge

City

Dubuque

Clive
Ames
Cedar Falls
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Davenport
Davenport
Des Moines

National Restaurant Association's Faces of Diversity Award Winners

NRA Diversity Award*
2014 Pamela Patton

Restaurant
Patton’s Restaurant & Catering

City
Des Moines

Iowa Restaurant Association American Dream Award

NRA Diversity Award*
2017 John Khairallah

Restaurant
Via Sofia’s Italian Kitchen

City
Cedar Rapids

Iowa Restaurant Association Champion Award Winners

Champion Award

2022 Jeremy Thompson

2021 Debi Durham

2020 Ryan Achterhoff
2019 Mike Holms
2018 Krista Kay
2013 Mary Ann Adams
2012 Windy Kalmes
2009 Mike Whalen
2008 Scott Carlson
2007 Suzanne Summy
2005 Alex Banasik
2004 Doug Coen
2002 Steve Jackson
2001 Kelly Biensen
2000 Darin Beck
1999 Paul Trostel

Restaurant/Company

Sazerac

Iowa Economic Development Authority

Pizza Ranch
Splash Seafood Bar + Grill and Jethro’s Barbeque
Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill
Iowa Department of Education
Kalmes Enterprises
Heart of America Restaurants & Inns
Court Ave. Restaurant & Brewing Co.
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Down Under Bar & Grill
Martin Brothers Distributing Co., Inc.
Outback Steakhouse
Eden Farms
Barmuda Corporation
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant

City

Des Moines

Des Moines

Orange City
Des Moines
Princeton
Des Moines
St Donatus
Quad Cities
Des Moines
Johnston
Des Moines
Cedar Falls
West Des Moines
State Center
Waterloo
Johnston

Cornerstone Humanitarian Award Winners

Cornerstone Humanitarian Award*
2012 Clay Willey
2010 Mike Whalen

Restaurant/Company
Prairie Meadows Racetrack
Heart of America Restaurants & Inns

City
Altoona
Quad Cities

Bartender of the Year Award Winners

Bartender of the Year*
2002 Curtis Patterson
2001 Denna Dipple
1998 Joe Fleming
1997 Cat Woods

Restaurant
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse
Gramma’s Kitchen
Iowa Machine Shed
Iowa Machine Shed

City
Des Moines
Walcott
Urbandale
Urbandale

Taste of Iowa Promotion Award Winners

A Taste of Iowa Promotion
2002 The Iowa Room
2001 Troy Trostel
2000 Chris Klocke
1999 Don Johnson

Restaurant
Renaissance Savery Hotel
Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Best Inns & Suites

City
Des Moines
Johnston
Des Moines
West Des Moines

* This award is not awarded every year.

Stars of Hospitality

Stars of Hospitality
Vickie Donar
Bobby Edminster
Ron Helbling
Annette Jones
Ron Goltz
Suzanne Gramblin
Vince Hartz
Steve Heishman
Doug Metz
Sharon Peters
Barbara Schulte
Angie Brown
Virginia Hayes
Marianne Holland
Ned Johnson
Michael R. LaValle
Kristy Maras
Teresa Vroman-Munoz
Joseph Trieu Nguyen
Siphay Sithiphong
Darrel Stanley
Imre Torok
Steve Bartelt
Angie Brown
Vasili Fountas
Sheree May
Deanne Plew
Pam Bartholomew
Donna Meacham
Cindy Papouchis
Matthew Rumeliote
Tim Peiffer
Mike Leitz
Shelbe Krogman

Restaurant
The Hotel Julien
The Hotel Julien
The Hotel Julien
The Hotel Julien
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Ox Yoke Inn
Pizza King
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Des Moines Embassy Club
Pizza King
Pizza King
Pizza King
Trostel’s Greenbriar
Trostel’s Greenbriar
Northwestern Steakhouse
Northwestern Steakhouse
Northwestern Steakhouse
Northwestern Steakhouse
Flapjacks Restaurant
Flapjacks Restaurant
Flapjacks Restaurant

City
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Dubuque
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Amana Colonies
Council Bluffs
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Des Moines
Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs
Johnston
Johnston
Mason City
Mason City
Mason City
Mason City
Maquoketa
Maquoketa
Maquoketa