DES MOINES, IOWA (August 27, 2026) — The Iowa Restaurant Association (IRA) has announced their 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards, recognizing individuals and businesses whose leadership, service, and contributions have made a significant impact on Iowa’s hospitality industry. The honorees will be recognized as part of the Association’s 31st Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards Ceremony, Monday, October 19, at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. The event is open to the public and will bring together hospitality professionals, industry leaders and supporters from across the state.
“Each year, the Association’s Celebrating Excellence Awards recognize some of the incredible people who make Iowa’s hospitality industry special,” said Jessica Dunker, IRA President and CEO.
“This year’s honorees come from communities across the state and represent the wide range of restaurants and hospitality businesses that make up our industry, but they share a commitment to excellence, their teams and guests, and the communities they call home.”
2026 Celebrating Excellence Award Winners:
Restaurateur of the Year — Simon Goheen, Simon’s, Des Moines
Chef of the Year — Chef Cory Barrett, Barrett’s Quality Eats, Coralville
Rural Operator of the Year — Gwen Page, Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther
Employee of the Year — Gretchen Lagerblade, Proudfoot and Bird, Des Moines
Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year — Bartholomis Manning, Martini’s Grille, Burlington
Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Award — Jerry Hope, Carlisle Watering Hole, Carlisle
Faces of Diversity Award — Brian Bruening and Frederique Boudouani, Schera’s Restaurant and Bar, Elkader
American Dream Award — Edgar Barrios, Hacienda Las Glorias, Cedar Rapids
Purveyor Employee of the Year — Brian Puhrmann, Ecolab, St Paul, Minnesota
Legislator of the Year — Pat Grassley, Speaker of the Iowa House, Des Moines
Champion of the Year — John Ferguson, B-Bop’s, Des Moines
Sustainability Innovator of the Year — Molly Kirby and Connor Jenkins, Kindred Coffee, Iowa City
The IRA's eighth class of "40 Women to Watch in Iowa's Hospitality Industry" will also be recognized at the awards event. The program recognizes women whose leadership, innovation, and service are shaping hospitality statewide while highlighting the industry’s diverse career opportunities. Information on the 2026 class is available here.
The awards ceremony will follow the Iowa Hospitality Showcase and Tasting Gala, which will feature food and beverage samples from exhibitors, as well as dishes prepared by chefs competing in the IRA’s statewide Culinary Competition. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample the competition entries and cast their vote for the coveted "People's Choice" award.
For tickets and additional event information, visit restaurantiowa.com.
About the Iowa Restaurant Association
The Iowa Restaurant Association provides advocacy, education, and promotional support to Iowa’s restaurant and tavern industry: restaurantiowa.com.
