Featuring Appearances by
Christina Moffatt
After a decade of working in the corporate world, Christina Moffatt decided she was tired of seeing people miserable and set out to discover what makes folks truly happy. The answer, she found, was dessert. A baker since she could hold a measuring spoon, Moffatt combined her culinary skills with her management and marketing experience to create Crème Cupcake + Dessert, which expanded from a home-based bakery to a commercial kitchen in less than a year.
Linh Ta
A West Des Moines native, Linh Ta is a proud Valley High Tiger and University of Northern Iowa Panther. When she’s not reporting on the latest and greatest in Ankeny, Johnston and Urbandale for The Des Moines Register, she likes to spend time with friends and family. On most Saturday nights, you can find Ta bicycling around downtown or chowing down on sushi with her gang. And on Sunday mornings, she’s probably curled up with The New York Times and her cat, Artemis.
Bryan Smith
A farm boy from southwest Iowa, Bryan Smith is a longtime resident of Des Moines. He has worked in the East Village for more than 20 years and is one of the owners of the Blazing Saddle. Bryan has been involved with the community through volunteering, fundraising and event planning with organizations like Capital City Pride, Historic East Village and AIDS Project of Central Iowa. Known for his side-eye and smart remarks, he was voted Cityview’s Best Bartender in 2014.
Callista Gould
Callista Gould, a certified etiquette instructor, once worked in restaurants and now teaches people how best to eat in them. She made her television debut at age 5 when she was too terrified to tell a joke on “The Floppy Show.†Her work experience includes Sony Music (Columbia and Epic labels), Amana Appliances and InterTech Media. She attended the University of Iowa and Loyola University Chicago. Her favorite treat is a Bauder Pharmacy chocolate soda.
Nick Kuhn
Nick Kuhn left an engineering career in 2015 and dove head first into the food and beverage industry. He is the co-owner of The Beerhouse in Urbandale and two food trucks, 515 Pi and Deez Greenz. As if that weren’t enough to keep him busy, Kuhn is also president of the Legion of Food, Des Moines’ food truck association. When he does have spare time, he likes to spend it cooking and eating outdoors with his wife, Lynn, and their three boys.
Agenda
April 28, 2016
Stories Behind the Kitchen and Bar: Christina Moffatt - 'When you gotta embrace the suck'
Christina Moffatt has faced some pretty sucky things in her life, but it's only when she learned to embrace them that she could move forward. Moffatt is the founder and owner of Creme Cupcakes + Dessert in Des Moines.
April 28, 2016
Stories Behind the Kitchen and Bar: Linh Ta - 'Finding the Asian Mafia'
Have you ever felt alone? Like really alone? Lihn Ta has...until she found the Asian mafia. Ta reports on Ankeny, Johnston and Urbandale for The Des Moines Register.
April 28, 2016
Stories Behind the Kitchen and Bar: Bryan Smith - 'It's a community center ... that serves liquor
Bryan Smith wasn't gay, he just liked having sex with men. Then, he walked into a gay bar and found himself at home. Smith is the owner of Des Moines' Blazing Saddle and a longtime resident of the East Village.
April 28, 2016
Stories Behind the Kitchen and Bar: Calista Gould - 'How I spent my summer, 1986'
Callista Gould spent one awful summer as a waitress. But, after reflection and a few spilt milkshakes, her attempt to make a little change ended up changing her. Gould, a certified etiquette instructor, teaches people how to eat in restaurants, among other things.
April 28, 2016
Stories Behind the Kitchen and Bar: Nick Kuhn - 'The story of Jack Thompson'
This is the story of the 11-year-old boy who saved Nick Kuhn's life ... This is the story of Jack Thompson. Kuhn co-owner of The Beerhouse in Urbandale and two food trucks, 515 Pi and Deez Greenz.