The Iowa Restaurant Association released the winners of its annual state hospitality awards this week. Dave and Jean Thompson of the Urban Restaurant Group in Des Moines were the recipients of the Restaurateurs of the Year award, Monkut Sayasit of Black Sheep Social Club in Cedar Rapids won the Chef of the Year award and Sammy Mila of Creme in Des Moines received the Emerging Leader of the Year award. More 2023 award winners are listed below.

• Rural Operator of the Year: Chelsea Johnsen of Sisters in Cheese in Madrid
• Hospitality Employee of the Year: Andy Hoffman of Down Under Bar & Grill in Clive
• Purveyor of the Year: Scott Ites of Atlantic Bottling Co. in Des Moines
• Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Philanthropist: Willie Ray Fairley of Willie Ray’s Q Shack in Cedar Rapids
• Faces of Diversity: Brenda Tran of Vietnam Cafe at Merle Hay Mall
• American Dream: Taufeek Shah of Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce in West Des Moines
• Legislator of the Year: Rep. Dave Deyoe, District 82
• ProStart Educator of Excellence: Chef Rolando Molina of Norwalk Community Schools
• ProStart Mentor of the Year: Chef Andy Walsh of Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee
• Sustainability and Innovation Award: Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City, Des Moines and Solon

Industry members from across the state will gather to recognize the honorees at the 28th annual
Celebrating Excellence ceremony on Nov. 13. The Iowa Restaurant Association’s fifth class of “40 Women to Watch in Iowa’s Hospitality Industry” will also be recognized at the awards event.

Before the ceremony, the association will host its Hospitality Showcase and Tasting Gala, featuring food and beverages from its statewide Culinary Competition. Attendees will sample the competition dishes before casting a vote for their favorites, as chefs compete for the People’s Choice award. There will be a dessert salon, as well as wine, beer and spirits available to sample.