Our Story
In 2007, two Iowa women had an idea: Why not bring the world’s best flavors to one of the world’s best towns?
Harriet Woodford and Masae Judge, both of Asian descent, launched Leaf Kitchen in 2007, and have lived up to their motto, “Global flavors; local ingredients,” ever since.
Harriet and Masae started out selling savory tarts and their signature green-tea, ginger, mocha and lavender cookies at the Iowa City Farmers’ Market in 2006. They hoped to open a tea and coffee shop but that dream soon expanded to a full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, special-event dinners and full-service catering. Leaf’s cookies, sold in beautiful, hand-designed bunches of five, are now sold in a number of local venues.
When the COVID pandemic hit, they created a take-home meal service, which continues to nourish local people and families as their primary business model. In addition to their take-home meals, Leaf provides catering services to the Iowa City area.
Along every step in their evolution, Harriet and Masae have strived to maintain their commitment to the freshest ingredients and the local farmers who produce them. They’re also committed to the community as a whole. Leaf prides itself on good food from around the globe served with love.
“We know our customers’ tastes and expectations not from some market survey, but because we know them personally, and we know what they value and love. What’s the best quality control in the world? Caring about your customers and never serving them something you don’t love yourself.”
-Harriet and Masae
Supporting local farms & communities
“Since we started out with a stand at our local farmers’ market, we made connections to local farmers and ranchers and continue to buy from them when possible. We buy only the freshest ingredients, so our menu changes often. As much as we value our bottom line, we support our small, local farmers, for that makes a stronger community. We also know they must compete with larger, corporate farms just like we must compete with restaurant franchises.”
Representing the world’s table
Masae, Leaf’s executive chef and co-owner, was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, before studying in Europe and eventually moving to Iowa. Harriet, Leaf’s business manager and co-owner, was born in Seoul, Korea, raised in the Midwest and received her degree from the University of Iowa. Every meal at Leaf Kitchen is a cross cultural experience and every person a welcome guest.
Leaf Kitchen has been named Iowa City’s best breakfast by The Iowa Press Citizen, Best in America breakfast by Playboy magazine, and best new chef and restaurant by Edible Iowa.
Behind the scenes, Leaf balances serving fine food with composting, recycling, rain-water collection, green space gardening, caring well for staff, supporting community groups and artists, and inspiring customers to dream of better food which leads to better living.
Harriet explains, “We try to live whole, balanced lives, and this allows us to better serve our community.”