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Corridor-area restaurant leaders honored by Iowa Restaurant Association’s “40 Women to Watch”
Nov. 27, 2024 6:15 am, Updated: Nov. 27, 2024 8:59 am
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DES MOINES — The Iowa Restaurant Association honored several area women blazing a trail at restaurants across Linn, Johnson and Washington counties.
The women, named to the hospitality association’s annual list in August, received their honors at a banquet in Des Moines on Nov. 18.
Alesia Lewis, managing partner of Longhorn Steakhouse in Coralville. (Courtesy of the Iowa Restaurant Association)
Amelia Keller, events and catering coordinator at Barrett’s Quality Eats in Coralville. (Courtesy of the Iowa Restaurant Association)
Jennifer Santoro, chef at Northside Diner in Washington. (Courtesy of the Iowa Restaurant Association)
Kasi Tenbord Carroll, food and beverage director of The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. (Courtesy of the Iowa Restaurant Association)
This year’s local leaders named to the list include:
- Alesia Lewis, managing partner of Longhorn Steakhouse in Coralville
- Amelia Keller, events and catering coordinator at Barrett’s Quality Eats in Coralville
- Jade Luter, owner of Daisy’s Garage, Cruz’s Cafe and Pregame Brew and Chew in Cedar Rapids and Marion
- Jennifer Santoro, chef at Northside Diner in Washington
- Kasi Tenbord Carroll, food and beverage director of The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids
The Iowa Restaurant Association said this year’s honorees, the association’s sixth class, were picked from nominations across the state that highlight the diversity of the workforce, as well as the breadth and depth of career opportunities for women in the industry. Each honoree demonstrated a passion for customers, teams and businesses.
“The Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area hospitality scene is thriving and it’s exciting to see women leading the way in so many parts of that growth,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the association. “This year’s honorees showcase just how much talent and passion women bring to the industry. It’s a tremendous privilege to celebrate them today and see what they’ll do next.”
More than 70,000 Iowa women are working in the food, beverage, hospitality and leisure industries.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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