Four Ames-area women named as women to watch in Iowa's restaurant industry

With experience ranging from BBQ and pastry to pizza and a tea room, four Ames-area women are among the 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality in 2022.

Dr. EunHa "Lena" Jeong, Joan Warren Sherwood and Mary Sanigular, all of Ames, and Tanya Doyle, of Luther, are featured on the Iowa Restaurant Association's annual list that honors Iowa women in the industry.

The list showcases women "who are blazing new trails, leading by example, and impressing their peers, customers and managers daily," the restaurant association said in a news release.

Honorees will be featured in the Food and Beverage Iowa Business Quarterly and on the Iowa Restaurant Association’s website. The honorees also will be recognized in-person Nov. 14 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines during the restaurant association’s annual awards ceremony.

"This year's honorees exemplify the multitude of opportunities the hospitality industry holds for women," Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, said in the release. "From entrepreneurs to restaurant owners, hoteliers to tourism professionals, and brewers to marketing specialists, these honorees are innovators, leaders, mentors and trend setters in our industry. You can bet, our Association is staying tuned to see what each of these talented women does next in her business."

The Women to Watch list started in 2019 and then included Darian Everding at London Underground and Stacy Wertzberger at Iowa State.

In 2020, the list included Jenny Oaks of Sweet Oaks Bakery + Bistro in Collins, Cande Coulter of Simply Mae's in Story City, Susan Frantz of Fenceline Beer Lab in Huxley and Chelsea Johnsen of Sisters in Cheese in Madrid.

In 2021, Nicole Schneider of The Whimsical Wine Trailer in Boone and Kylie Peterson of the Iowa Beef Industry Council in Ames were on the restaurant association's list.

More: Expanding again: Sweet Oaks Bakery + Bistro in Collins opens Tuesday

Here's a look at this year's honorees:

Dr. EunHa ‘Lena’ Jeong

An associate professor in Iowa State’s Hospitality Management Program, Jeong also serves as the director of Food & Beverage Research and Operations for the Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management.

Jeong oversees The Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom, the longest student-operated restaurant in the country, which opened in 1924. She also oversees SPARKS, a recently created student-operated cafe.

Iowa State plans to open a new building in 2024 for Jeong’s department.

Joan Warren Sherwood

Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co. is an iconic Ames restaurant, and Warren Sherwood oversees the operations there.

She is a graduate of Iowa State’s Hotel Restaurant Management program. During the coronavirus pandemic, Warren Sherwood relied on that education to quickly transform operations to 80% carryout and delivery from 80% of orders made in-house pre-pandemic — all while retaining all of her staff.

Warren Sherwood has made it a priority to mentor a team member with Down’s Syndrome, helping her develop valuable workplace skills.

Mary Sanigular

For nearly a decade, Sanigular was head pastry chef at The Café in Ames.

She recently became the first employee of a Des Moines-based sourdough micro-bakery, Bread By Chelsa B, where she is a kitchen collaborator to owner Chelsa Smith.

Sanigular also does professional food styling for companies such as Hy-Vee, Ayo Foods and Life Beautiful Magazine.

Tanya Doyle

Doyle is the founder of Whatcha Smokin' BBQ + Brew in Luther. The restaurant serves central Texas-style BBQ and was recently recognized by Food & Wine as the Best BBQ in Iowa.

Doyle “was able to transform a one-time gas station-turned-motorcycle shop into a multi-million dollar culinary destination, drawing people from across the state to the tiny community of Luther, population 120,” according to the Iowa Restaurant Association.

She recently sold the restaurant and became a culture coach with her business, Tanya Doyle Culture Coaching. Doyle helps other operations create the culture of transparency she established in Whatcha Smokin’, such as letting the entire team see the restaurant’s financials and empowering employees to engage in making the business the best it can be.

2022 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality     

• Addison Mittlestaedt, Big Grove Brewery, Des Moines

• Alyssa Dreeszen, Cornerhaus 101, Holstein

• Amanda Ripperger, The Sports Page Grill, Indianola

• Angela Harrington, Hotel Grinnell/Highlander Hotel, Grinnell

• Angela Lose, Orchestrate Hospitality, Des Moines

• Aom Nishapat Meesangkaew, Eat Thai Restaurant, West Des Moines

• Beth Jackson, Nourished, Des Moines

• Carolina Hudman, Euphoria Cakes, Des Moines

• Christine Johnson, Joppa Experience, Des Moines

• Colleen Brennan, Bread Worthy Bakery, Iowa City

• Deja Keppler, Savor The Rise, Indianola

• Elise Vaux, Johnson Brothers of Iowa, Des Moines

• EunHa (Lena) Jeong, Iowa State University, Ames

• Heather Sheffer, Gamble Block Brewery, Perry

• Heidi Messelheiser, Des Moines Marriott Downtown, Des Moines

• Heidi Young, Happenings, Steamboat Rock

• Jackie Akerberg, Jackfruitful Kitchen, Des Moines

• Jennifer Ferrell, Yesterday's Restaurant, Arnolds Park

• Jillian Harrington, Apres Bar Co., Des Moines

• Joan Warren Sherwood, Great Plains Sauce & Dough Company, Ames

• Julie Stow, Cedar Rapids Tourism Office, Cedar Rapids

• Katie Porter, The Wallace Centers of Iowa, Des Moines

• Katie Van Dyke, Iowa Culinary Institute, Des Moines

• Kayleigh Phillips, Ohana Poke Shop, Marion

• Krista Matthes, SOMM Wines, Fairfield

• Kristen Daily, Pie Bird Pies, Des Moines

• Krystle Mohr, 5th Quarter Bar & Grill, Van Meter

• LeShawn Smith, Shawnniecakes, Cedar Rapids

• Lesley Rish, Oh High Bakery, Des Moines

• Lumarie Rodriguez-Soto , Waterloo Convention Center, Waterloo

• Lydia Zerby, Iowa Soybean Association, Ankeny

• Lyssa Wade, Veggie Thumper, Des Moines

• Mary Sanigular, The Café, Ames

• Sandra Hendred, Polar Xpress, Ottumwa

• Sara Ostrander, The Centennial, Jefferson

• Shaunna Zanker, Stanhope Locker & Market, Stanhope

• Shaye Wynn, The Salty Dog Bar & Grill, Council Bluffs

• Sheri Hansen, Prairie Meadows, Altoona

• Steph Mehman, Black Sheep Social Club, Cedar Rapids

• Tanya Doyle, Tanya Doyle Culture Coaching, Luther

Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: 40 Women to Watch in Hospitality list includes four Ames-area women