116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
HER Stories: Chef Allie Lanham transforms food into art
This story first appeared in HER Stories - Spring 2024, a biannual special section distributed by The Gazette that features stories of Eastern Iowa women who have experienced powerful paths of achievement for themselves, their families and their communities.
Allie Lanham has always needed a creative outlet.
Growing up, she loved art and was always doodling in her notebook. When she was in high school, she taught herself how to cook. She’d peruse cookbooks in the library, writing down recipes she liked, and then experiment with stir frys, poke bowls and zucchini roll-ups — all dishes she still makes today. Most of the recipes she made were healthy, which, combined with adopting a vegetarian diet, helped her lose about 60 pounds.
“I would show friends what I was making if they wanted help eating healthier,” she said.
But cooking was never simply about healthy eating for Lanham. What she enjoys even more is the creativity involved in coming up with new recipes and making visually pleasing dishes. After high school, she originally pursued a degree in dietetics, which is focused on how nutrition affects health, but then decided to study culinary arts at Kirkwood instead.
“It was the perfect blend of food and art — my two favorite things combined,” she said.
After earning her degree, she worked at LP Street Food as a line cook and then at Caucho (now Lacayo) as the chef de cuisine, where she was named one of the “40 Women to Watch” by the Iowa Restaurant Association in her first year of service. She went on to work at Popoli but decided to branch out on her own when they closed due to the pandemic. In 2020, she started The Hangry Lady and opened a shop in NewBo City Market.
The Hangry Lady interior features art created by owner Allie Lanham, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Hangry Lady in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
Allie Lanham (left), owner of The Hangry Lady, talks to customer Jessica Gardner of Cedar Rapids about her business at her booth at NewBo City Market in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Allie Lanham, owner of The Hangry Lady, ties a bow around one of her charcuterie boxes at her booth at NewBo City Market in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
The Hangry Lady features an open concept dining space with art created by owner Allie Lanham, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Hangry Lady in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
From the beginning, her work ethic and dedication — not to mention her delicious food — stood out.
“We knew she was going to be leaving us almost as soon as she came,” said Sarah Blais, senior director of market operations at NewBo City Market. “We can tell who has the fortitude and resilience to break out on their own, and Allie had those qualities.”
In September 2023, Lanham proved Blais right. She opened her brick-and-mortar just across the street, on the corner of Third Street and 11th Avenue SE. Jim Angstman with Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty helped her secure the space and work through the lease agreement. In the process, they became friends.
“She’s one of my favorite clients,” he said.
Still in her 20s, Angstman said Lanham needed a little bit of guidance regarding some of the fine details, like finding the right accountants, attorneys and bankers. Angstman connected her with people who she’d be able to depend on as she grew her business.
“I love helping young entrepreneurs,” he said. “She’s very sharp and good at what she does, and I’m glad to say I had a small part in her success.”
The walls of The Hangry Lady are filled with Lanham’s art, which is for sale. It’s come a long way from the doodles in her notebooks when she was younger.
“Painting helps my brain slow down; it’s kind of like mediation,” she said.
Even though she’s busier than ever, she tries to take a few hours on her day off to paint — and is fine with keeping art as a hobby, not a full second business.
“I just paint what I want, and it makes me happy when people want to put it in their houses,” she said.
One of the most artistic edible creations Lanham makes is her charcuterie boards. Available for catering orders, she makes a wide variety for just about any event. Blais ordered brunch boards for her bridal shower, which included fun items like mini waffles.
“Charcuterie boards were a fad a few years ago, but she made it more than a fad,” Blais said.
Although Lanham was initially concerned about sales decreasing when she moved into her own space, the opposite happened. Walk-up sales are double what they were at the market. Catering orders have also doubled each year.
One challenge she faces, however, is how to advertise using that tricky word: healthy.
“People assume it won’t taste good,” she said.
Having lived in Cedar Rapids her whole life, she’s cognizant that some Midwesterners prefer meat and potatoes. But even for those folks, there’s plenty to eat. After all, many of her charcuterie boards are built around meat and cheese — and perhaps that opens someone up to trying some healthy dips, fruit and nuts on the side. She also offers scratch-made soups and “adult Lunchables,” both with board appeal.
Those with dietary restrictions will also be pleased to find a variety of options. Lanham takes pride in offering dishes that are vegan, gluten free and beyond. Her inspiration harkens back to her days of being a line cook.
“You’d get a ticket with modifications, and you might hear huffing and puffing in the kitchen,” she said. The Hangry Lady isn’t like that. “It’s food for everybody.”
True to form, Lanham is continuing to experiment with new items and is considering offering marinated salads, which are tasty (and healthy) lunches she regularly eats. Patrons can be confident they’ll find something original when they visit.
“I’m happy to be able to provide something new to the community,” she said.
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