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Des Moines, Iowa (November 7, 2006) – The Iowa
Restaurant Association selected Garry and Jeanne Heiar of the Moracco Supper
Club as the association’s 2006 Restaurateurs of the Year. The Dubuque
restaurant owners were honored at the association’s annual Awarding
Excellence ceremony in Des Moines.
“This award honors the restaurant or tavern owner or
manager who shows originality, quality, and service to customers. He or she must
be successful in the eyes of his or her fellow operators, employees, and
community,” said Doni DeNucci, president and CEO for the Iowa Restaurant
Association. “Not only have Garry and Jeanne operated a terrific family
restaurant, they have also shared their time with the community and the industry
for more than 30 years.”
A Family Affair
The Heiars have spent their entire married lives in the restaurant business.
The couple took ownership of the Moracco in 1976—purchasing the business from
Burt and Hazel Hillary, Jeanne’s parents. The couple credits the longevity of
their restaurant to great service and great food. They still serve up specials
that were introduced by Jeanne’s mother, the restaurant’s original cook. The
Heiars have also kept the family focus—wedding pictures line the walls and
family members hold key positions. “We all have our strengths and we make a
great team,” says Jeanne of the family focus of the management team.
The Heiars can be found six days a week working
side-by-side in the restaurant. They were selected for the Iowa restaurant
industry’s most prestigious award by a panel of fellow restaurant operators. The
selection was based on their dedication to operating a quality establishment and
furthering excellence in the restaurant industry.
Event Features National Association Chairman
This year’s Awarding Excellence was held at the West Des Moines
Marriott and included a banquet, reception, culinary competition and tasting
salons. The event was emceed by WHO Radio personality Mark Pearson and featured
a keynote address by Ed Tinsley, current chairman of the National Restaurant
Association’s Board of Directors and president and CEO of Tinsley Hospitality
Group, LLC, a restaurant intellectual property company and master franchisor of
K-BOB'S Steakhouses.
About the Iowa Restaurant Association
Headquartered in Des Moines, the Iowa Restaurant Association is the professional
association of the restaurant and retail beverage industries in Iowa. In
addition to representing the industries’ legislative concerns, the Iowa
Restaurant Association provides industry training programs, and works to help
its members to operate efficiently, safely, and profitably and to promote
quality and professionalism in the industry. For more information, visit our Web
site at
www.restaurantiowa.com.
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Media Contacts:
Doni DeNucci, CAE
Iowa Restaurant Association
515- 276-1454
ddenucci@restaurantiowa.com
Jessica Dunker
Iowa Restaurant Association
515-
202-6786
jessica@dunker.com
© Copyright Iowa Restaurant Association 2005-2006
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