A Des Moines Register editor is among 40 women selected and celebrated by the Iowa Restaurant Association for their contributions to the hospitality industry.
This year’s 40 Women to Watch in Iowa’s Hospitality Industry list features individuals with a range of impact from local to statewide, including the Register’s entertainment editor Susan Stapleton. Each honoree was nominated by peers and community members, then selected for their contributions to the field, according to an Iowa Restaurant Association news release.
Other honorees include women bringing craft cocktails to small-town Iowa, promoting Iowa’s craft spirits, selling wood-fired pizza from a farm or a veteran and former firefighter spreading Vietnamese family recipes.
“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. “Each has found her own way to make a difference for customers, staff, or community.”
Who is Susan Stapleton, the Register’s entertainment editor/dining reporter?
Whether it’s staying up until midnight to finish a story or sitting down with local restaurateurs to catch up, Stapleton lifts voices in the Des Moines metro dining community through her reporting. The University of Iowa grad was born in Omaha, but spent most of her childhood in Eldridge, Iowa, just north of Davenport. She has been with the Register for over three years, in addition to her first stint at the paper for 15 months.
“I enjoy telling stories of the restaurants in the region, finding the novelty, and learning about family recipes,” Stapleton said in her bio for the Register. “And everyone loves to eat. On the entertainment side of my job, I think culture is an important part of Des Moines, and showcasing it gives readers different ways to see the city.”
Not only is Stapleton Iowa’s authority on the best breaded pork tenderloins and burgers, but Stapleton also tells the story of the people behind the counter at Iowans’ favorite bars, coffee shops, and diners.
Why was Susan Stapleton named one of 40 Women to Watch in Iowa’s Hospitality Industry?
Stapleton “has become central Iowa’s trusted voice on dining, keeping readers connected to the people, trends, and stories shaping the hospitality industry,” the association said of her nomination.
“Her work not only celebrates restaurants and chefs but also strengthens the bond between community and cuisine,” it continued.
The nomination also noted Stapleton’s time at Eater Vegas, bringing national expertise and local insight to her work in Iowa.
Her work includes curating the Des Moines Register’s Essential Restaurants list each year. She also assists with USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year and Bars of the Year lists, ensuring that Iowa establishments reach the national spotlight.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Register editor among Iowa’s women to watch in hospitality
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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