DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Latino Hospitality Council is launching its first Iowa Latino Restaurant Week.

The Iowa Restaurant Association launched the organization this summer. The organization is meant to educate and help owners, while providing them with a community of support.

According to the association, 10% of restaurants are owned and operated by Latinos. The council is made up of 24 restaurant owners and it continues to look for more to join.

The council is hosting its restaurant week September 11 through September 21. The 10-day event encourages business owners to collaborate with each other.

“We’re thrilled because we’re not just celebrating the folks who are making the meals in the kitchen, we’re celebrating the people who are out front sharing their culture, their stories, their businesses with Iowans,” Jessica Dunker, President and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association said.

There are lunch and dinner deals during the restaurant week. Lunches will be 2 for $25 and dinners for 2 for $50.

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“What we wanted to accomplish with this is tell our clientele that Latino foods is more than just Mexican,” Arturo Mora, owner of Flame Cantina said. “There’s a lot of flavor throughout our country. But also, through Central and South America.”

It also serves as a big opportunity for the owners and customers.

“Latino food is not just one type of food. It’s really diverse and the food chain from one country to another country. Sometimes we use the same ingredients, but we cook with them differently,” Gloria Henriquez, owner of Tullpa said. “This is a good opportunity to show the difference between, you know, what’s the difference between Colombian food and what’s the difference between Mexican food. You know what’s the difference between Peruvian food and Puerto Rican food.”

Restaurants are participating in Latino Restaurant Week:

• Adel: Fiesta

• Ankeny: Blue Bean, Cancun Grill & Cantina, Flame Cantina

• Clive: El Toro Loco

• Des Moines: Ceivche Bar, La Cuscatleca, Malo, Margarita’s, Panka, Tullpa Restaurant

• Johnston: Roots 95

• North Liberty: Fiesta

• Pleasant Hill: Fiesta

• Urbandale: El Barco

• West Des Moines: La Fiesta, El Fogon, Los Allegres, Mi Patria, Puerto Rico Restaurant

To learn more about Iowa Latino Hospitality Council or Latino Restaurant Week, visit their website.

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