RAMW announces the 2019 RAMMY Award finalists
The 2019 RAMMY Award nominees are set. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), the top membership-based restaurant advocacy group in Washington, D.C., announced the 2019 RAMMYS Finalists at The Hamilton March 11. The Hamilton was the site of RAMW’s nominations party, a private celebration for its members. The prestigious RAMMYS are the restaurant industry’s top awards in D.C. The RAMMYS will be awarded June 30, 2019 at the Walter E. Convention Center.
As per tradition, the voting public will decide the winners in four categories. These are Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year and Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. RAMW will accept nominations through Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 5:00pm. Cast votes for these categories online at http://www.nbcwashington.com/RAMMYS.
RAMMYS 2019 Individual Awards
2019 Employee of the Year
- Oscar Ardon, Doi Moi
- Maria Contreras, Jaleo Crystal City
- Valentine King, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen
- Eloy Juarez Alvarez, Mintwood Place
- Fred Uku, The Red Hen
2019 Manager of the Year
- Dave Delaplaine, Roofers Union
- Sabrine Marques, PassionFish Bethesda
- Donna Seal, Oceanaire
- Richard Stewart, iRicchi Ristorante
- Paris Twyman, Founding Farmers Tysons
2019 Chef of the Year
- Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line
- David Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
- Marjorie Meek-Bradley, St. Anselm
- Russell Smith, The Source by Wolfgang Puck
- Nicholas Stefanelli, Masseria, Officina
[Related story: The Salt Line to open second restaurant in Arlington, Va.]
2019 Pastry Chef of the Year
- Fabrice Bendano, Le Diplomate
- Ana Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
- Pichet Ong, Brothers and Sisters, Spoken English
- Paola Velez, Iron Gate
- Meagan Tighe, Trummer’s On Main
2019 Rising Culinary Star of the Year
- Javier Fernandez, Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly
- Adam Howard, Blue Duck Tavern
- John MacPherson, Three Blacksmiths
- Daniela Moreira, Call Your Mother Deli, Timber Pizza Company
- Kwame Onwuachi, Kith and Kin
2019 Restaurateur of the Year
- Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Taco Bamba Taqueria
- Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks, Bar Charley, El Chucho, Little Coco’s, Quarry House Tavern, Slash Run
- Michael Friedman, Mike O’Malley, Colin McDonough, Gareth Croke, All Purpose Restaurants
- Rose Previte, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen, Maydan
- Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima, and Yama Jewayni, Daikaya Group
RAMMYS organizational awards
2019 Restaurant of the Year
- Blue Duck Tavern
- Bourbon Steak
- Rasika
- The Source by Wolfgang Puck
- Trummer’s On Main
2019 Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year
- Centrolina
- Iron Gate
- Momofuku CCDC
- Sally’s Middle Name
- Sushi Taro
2019 Casual Restaurant of the Year
- All Purpose – Shaw
- Bantam King
- Bindaas – Cleveland Park
- Maketto
- Royal
2019 New Restaurant of the Year
- Chloe
- Kaliwa
- Poca Madre
- Spoken English
- St. Anselm
2019 Wine Program of the Year
- Cork Wine Bar and Market
- Le Diplomate
- Maxwell Park
- minibar by JoséAndrés
- Trummer’s On Main
2019 Cocktail Program of the Year
- barmini by JoséAndrés
- Bresca
- Daikaya
- Petworth Citizen and Reading Room
- Royal
2019 Beer Program of the Year
- B Side
- Caboose Tavern
- Pizzeria Paradiso – Dupont
- Republic
- Roofers Union
2019 Service Program of the Year
- Ambar – Clarendon
- Carlyle Grand Cafe
- Iron Gate
- Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, & Stone Crab
- The Riggsby
2019 Favorite Gathering Place of the Year
- Duke’s Counter
- Open Road
- Perry’s
- Quarry House Tavern
- Vinoteca
2019 Favorite Fast Bites of the Year
2019 Upscale Brunch of the Year
- Estadio
- Seasons
- The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
- The Source by Wolfgang Puck
- Unconventional Diner
2019 Casual Brunch of the Year
- Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen
- Casolare Ristorante & Bar
- Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
- Maketto
- The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse
2019 Allied Member, Capital Achievement Awards
Determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee, the Association also honors two additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year Award, and another member with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award. The Joan HIsaoka Member of the Year Award is presented to an allied member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW, while the Duke Ziebert Capital Achievement Awards is given for dedication and leadership that has helped transform Washington’s restaurant scene into the virbrant industry that it is today. These awards are beyond the selections that are determined, in part, by online submissions.
2019 Joan Hisaoka Member of the Year Award
- Coastal Sunbelt Produce
- Congressional Seafood Co.
- Saval Foodservice
- TriMark Adams-Burch
- The Veritas Law Firm
2019 Regional Food Producer of the Year
- Arcadia Farm
- Atlas Brew Works
- Ayrshire Farm
- Ivy City Smokehouse
- Logan Sausage Co.
The RAMMY Awards are chosen with the help of the voting public and an anonymous panel of invited volunteer judges. These selected judges comprise food and dining journalists and foodservice industry educators.
The award season in 2019 will culminate in a black-tie gala in June.
Awards are given in 20 different categories, including Casual Brunch of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Favorite Fast Bites of the Year, Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Service Program of the Year, Beer Program of the Year, Wine Program of the Year, New Restaurant of the Year, Cocktail Program of the Year, Casual Restaurant of the Year, Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year, Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, Rising Culinary Star of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Rising Culinary Star of the Year, Chef of the Year, Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, Joan HIsaoka Associate Member of the Year, and the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.
For more information, navigate to the RAMMYS website.
Photo credit: Eatery Pulse Media (featured), Julep PR (inline 1), various others (inline)
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