Iron Chef cast member, Food Network Spring Baking Championship winner opens first Coralville restaurant

CORALVILLE — An elevated deli, bakery and cafe opens Wednesday by the hand of a James Beard Award semifinalist, with TV accolades from Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship” and “Iron Chef.”

Barrett’s Quality Eats, first announced in January by owner Chef Cory Barrett, will serve a variety of elevated comforts alongside a few niche novelties at 3242 Crosspark Rd. in Coralville. A full deli bar, breakfast menu, salads, soups, sandwiches like muffalatas and hearty classics like rotisserie chicken will be served alongside a full dessert and pastry menu — one of Barrett’s specialties — with coffee, cocktails and more.

Diners can try familiar comforts delivered with gourmet quality, or try new novelties like the deep dish cinnamon rolls — available on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday and Sunday only.

In addition to a James Beard Foundation semifinalist nod for Rising Star Chef in 2008, Barrett has twice received recognition as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category in 2009 and 2010. Notably, he has also worked with Cleveland, Ohio’s, Michael Symon, a barbecue master who co-hosted ABC’s “The Chew.”

Locals may recognize Barrett’s work at Big Grove Brewery, including the brewery’s exclusive annual Richard Dinner, where he has served as a consultant over the past several months since moving to the Corridor. Before working as a culinary arts instructor and program director at a Michigan community college, the Ohio native worked in fine dining for 12 years in cities across the country.

Barrett appeared as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America” 17 times, and won Season 5 of the “Spring Baking Championship” on Food Network in 2018.

The new restaurant, in a new development near Hy-Vee, will offer daily counter service for breakfast, lunch and early dinner most days, opening at 7 a.m. daily.

The first 100 customers at Barrett’s Quality Eats at its opening Wednesday morning will receive free cookies for a year.

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