The Iowa Restaurant Association released its fifth class of 40 “Women to Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry.

This year’s winners range from kitchen and general managers to entrepreneurs and purveyors. They will be recognized as part of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards ceremony on Nov. 13.

“There are more than 70,000 Iowa women working in the food, beverage, hospitality and leisure industries every day,” Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, said in a prepared release. “What is exciting about this year’s list is that it includes the expected and unexpected. There are female restaurant owners, but there are also women doing everything from school nutrition and specialized cleaning to home-based baking and wine sales. All 40 represent hospitality in a unique way, and each woman has found a meaningful career in their special food and beverage niche.”

Each member of the group was nominated by a member of the industry or the public and was selected by the Iowa Restaurant Association.

More than 100 nominations were submitted from across the state. For the full list of the 40 “Women to Watch,” click here.