Trellis Café’s Storied Chapter at The Des Moines Botanical Garden Has Come to a Close.
After more than 10 years of successful collaboration, Chef Lisa LaValle has announced her retirement from Trellis Café at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, effective October 26th, 2024.
Chef Lisa has been a true pioneer of fresh, delicious and seasonal cuisine in Des Moines. She spent her childhood in Pella, Iowa, the daughter of two college professors. Throughout college, Lisa worked in restaurants, and it was that experience which paved the way to her career as a chef. Lisa has followed in the footsteps of her parents, dedicating her time and expertise to teach and nurture future chefs and members of the community.
In addition to her leadership at Trellis, LaValle previously operated the Café at the Des Moines Art Center, and considers herself a “chef diplomat” through her participation in culinary events in France, Spain and China. Throughout her involvement in all of these, Chef Lisa is a champion for locally sourced ingredients and leverages her stunning culinary creations as an artistic outlet.
“Over the ten years of opening and operating Trellis at the Botanical Garden I’ve connected to so many people through our food and the beauty of the garden. I’ve had the freedom to prepare what I love and design a space that feels like an extension of my own imagination. I am grateful for the trust given to myself and our team to express our creativity through food and hospitality. It has been an honor to cook for you, cheers to your health.”
As the Chef/Owner of Trellis, LaValle’s retirement creates the opportunity for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to establish a new relationship for operation of the Café, and efforts are underway to secure a successor for Café operations.
Trellis Café Is Now River Center Events & Catering
Formerly known as Trellis Catering, we’re now The River Center Events and Catering! Same commitment to excellent cuisine and the same outstanding service you’ve always been accustomed to. We’re thrilled to unveil our new logo and look. Please use the link below to check out The River Center Events and Catering page.
We have closed the chapter on Trellis Cafe and Catering and passed the torch to a new operator. We will continue to offer catering services at the Botanical Gardens, so please reach out to The River Center Events and Catering team for all of your event needs.
To all of those who dined with us over the years and helped to fill the Trellis Café with a lifetime of memories – Thank You!