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DeLuxe Cakes & Pastries named James Beard Award semifinalist
Bakery only Eastern Iowa establishment to make list
Jan. 24, 2026 6:00 am
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IOWA CITY — An Iowa City bakery has earned a coveted recognition.
DeLuxe Cakes & Pastries, 812 S. Summit St., was named Jan. 21 as a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award in the Outstanding Bakery category.
The bakery, opened by pastry chef Jamie Powers in 2003, is the only establishment in Eastern Iowa to make the list.
Three Des Moines residents earned nods in other categories.
The Contrary was named a semifinalist for Best New Bar. Nick Hanke and Phil Shires at Masao, as well as Ian Robertson at Oak Park, were named semifinalists for Best Chef in the Midwest class that encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Restaurant and chef nominees will be announced March 31, and winners will be celebrated at a June 15 award ceremony in Chicago.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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