Food and Drink

After the Media Tour - Hilton Des Moines Downtown

Recently the, still under construction, Hilton Des Moines Downtown Hotel offered the media a tour and the Business News Hour went along to see the progress toward the March 21st Grand Opening. After the tour we sat down with Tamara Chubb the Director of Sales & Marketing and Franck Debril the Director of Food & Beverage for a conversation about what to expect when the doors swing open. (For a peek at a quick video head to our facebook page.) We start...with food: 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Jeff Pitts from Cityview with Stuff to DO!

We close out each week with our lifestyle contributor Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine. Here we talk about antiques at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, comedy, celebrating the Winter Olympics at Brenton Skating Plaza, a comic book conventions at Adventureland, Forest Flicks and Black History Month, Galentine's Day at the Des Moines Social Club, music with the DSM Symphony, "Defending the Caveman" and wrestling!  So much going on...enjoy!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Restaurant Closings - What's Going On?

The past month has seen a number of locally owned restaurants close their doors. Some due to construction others due to a lack of business or a decision to just...quit. We thought it might be a good time to ask what is going on in the industry. Here Jessica Dunker from the Iowa Restaurant Association gives us some insight into the challenging world of the restaurant business. We also ask "what's hot" right now and we're a little surprised at the answer...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Stuff to DO with Cityview and Jeff Pitts

He's back from a couple of weeks off...Jeff Pitts our lifestyle contributor from Cityview Magazine is back in studio for a fun look at stuff going on in the Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week. From the play Misery to I'll Make Me a World in Iowa to the Iowa Bike Expo, to a gun show, a circus, a concert in Ames to bad art...we've got it all right here. Listen and get out there... 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 

I'll Make Me a World in Iowa with Betty Andrews

It's the 20th Annual African-American Celebration known as I'll Make Me a World in Iowa. The educational day is Friday the 26th of January and then the very fun, family day on Saturday the 27th. It's all free and a great event. Here we caught up with the founder of I'll Make Me a World in Iowa, Betty Andrews who talks about the Friday event and what you can expect on Saturday...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHo

Dramshop in Iowa - Does This Make Sense?

This history of dramshop insurance in Iowa is a long story. First enacted following Prohibition the rules of who must carry the insurance has not been updated for...decades. Yet the availability of beer, wine and spirits has evolved to the point where you can buy alcoholic drinks at the local convenience store, grocery store even drug store but only restaurants and bars must carry the very pricey insurance. Here we visit with Jessica Dunker from the Iowa Restaurant Association who is asking the Iowa Legislature to update the language so the rules reflect the times and do so before we drive out a major sector of our economy.  We think you'll find this interesting...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Lemon Grass - Restaurant of the Week

One of the nice things about having done the Business News Hour for so many years is that we've got lots of great interviews already in the can...just in case somebody has to cancel. Today we climb into our Way-Back Machine for this conversation with Owner/Chef Chad Lovan of Lemon Grass our Restaurant of the week!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Airport Hospitality - Meet Cheng Lor

When we made the decision to attend the Media Day at the Des Moines International Airport for the purpose of learning more about the new amenities offered to travelers we did not expect this story. Meet Cheng Lor the President/CEO of Aero Service Group based in Minneapolis. For several years his company worked the Fredericks Coffee stand, just past TSA screening area, turning in solid growth each year. When it came to the food service at the Des Moines International Airport the Airport Authority made the decision to partner with Mr. Lor. Listen as you learn about his life in Cambodia, the "Killing Fields" and how that experience shapes his business today. It's quite the story...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Passenger Experience - DSM International Airport

It was "Media Day" at the Des Moines International Airport where Kevin Foley, Executive Director of the Des Moines Airport Authority was eager to talk about the new amenities being offered to travelers. From food to travel swag to new restaurants it was quite the open house. We sat down with Kevin for an extended interview about, not only food, but funding of the proposed new terminal. Side note, nearly 1,500 people work at the airport...
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

Akebono Japanese - Our Restaurant of the Week

Each week we offer up an interview with a locally owned restaurant to share with you their back story. Our Restaurant of the Week this week is Akebono Japanese Restaurant in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Meet Nam Tran who came to America from Vietnam as a child, learned his craft and struck out on his own. Akebono, our Restaurant of the Week! 
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business broadcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5:00pm on AM-940. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications through a business relationship with The Des Moines Radio Group. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.