Restaurant association honors 5 Iowa City women

Jessica Rish

Iowa City Press-Citizen USA TODAY NETWORK

From their dishes to their kitchens, five Iowa City women are redefining hospitality, shaping dining culture with creativity and leadership.

The women were honored by the Iowa Restaurant Association’s annual “40 Women to Watch in Iowa’s Hospitality Industry” list. The honor, first launched in 2019, aims to celebrate the contributions of women in the statewide hospitality community, featuring chefs, general managers and bakers, nominated by peers and community members.

“From small towns to statewide programs, these honorees show what’s possible in hospitality,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, in a news release. “Each has found her own way to make a difference for customers, staff, or community.”

In November, the women will be honored at the annual Iowa Hospitality Showcase at the Community Choice Convention Center in Des Moines.

Here are the five greater Iowa City women featured on the list:

Alex Smith, Plated Table

Alex Smith is the owner and head chef at Plated Table in downtown Iowa City. Plated Table caters for dinner parties and events and hosts an

intimate wine bar Thursday through Saturday. The weekly menu rotates with the changing seasons.

Building the restaurant from the ground up after relocating from Indianapolis, Smith has curated the restaurant’s culture, with a majority-female staff, and a kitchen crew made up entirely of women, creating opportunities that “are too often rare in the industry,” according to the Iowa Restaurant Association.

In January, Smith’s flan was recognized as one of 2024’s best dishes in the Midwest by Midwest Living.

Diana Giles, Walker Homestead Farm & Winery

Nestled just outside Iowa City, Walker Homestead Farm and Winery offers a unique blend of sustainable farming, agritourism and culinary delights. The success of the five-year establishment is due, in part, to Diana Giles, who is the general manager and food and beverage director at the picturesque spot.

Leading the menu development, Giles aims to bring “passion, expertise, and authenticity to Iowa’s growing culinary and wine scene,” according to the Iowa Restaurant Association.

Jacqueline Milian, Mammitas Coffee

Jacqueline Milian opened up the Latin- inspired Mammitas Coffee with a flower shop in the back in early 2020. The space named in honor of her mother and grandmother celebrates Milian’s Spanish heritage with signature drinks like Dulce de Leche lattes along with classic desserts like flan.

Since opening in the downtown corridor, Mammitas has become more than a coffee shop. It is recognized as a place of cultural connection and community.

Shannon Arnold, Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center

Shannon Arnold has more than 20 years of experience in Iowa hospitality. As the director of events at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center, she has a “reputation for excellence” from overseeing events from corporate gatherings to community-wide celebrations.

Under Arnold’s leadership, the events team has helped drive more than $1 million in food and beverage growth, propelling the Coralville location to No.3 in the national ranking among all Hyatt Regencies for food and beverage experience year-to-date.

Whitney Linville, Redhead Media

Based in North Liberty, Whitney Linville has more than 20 years of hospitality industry experience, from bartending to leading restaurants. In 2022, she launched Redhead Media, turning her focus to helping local businesses and restaurants tell their stories “through thoughtful photography, intentional digital marketing.”

Linville’s work aims to connect businesses with the communities they serve, strengthening relationships and honoring the craft and creativity of local business owners.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_