We are all now accustomed to virtual events. Conferences, weddings, funerals, birthdays and so much more are celebrated from the comfort of our homes. This year, rather than dressing up in cocktail attire and gathering with thousands of people representing the region’s restaurant and foodservice community, we watched a livestream as the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners of The RAMMY Awards. Broadcast from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the program celebrated the region’s resilient hospitality community and honored winners in 20 award categories with other special distinctions.
While the honorees were based on the 2019 year of dining, RAMW recognized that 2020 has posed unique challenges that the industry continues to navigate. The selection process for the winners involved two esteemed groups, the voting public, which decided the winners in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place, Upscale Brunch, Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites; and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators, and foodservice industry professionals.
RAMW honored additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year award, given to Coastal Sunbelt Produce for exemplifying commitment to and support of RAMW, and the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, presented to restaurateur Randy Norton of Great American Restaurants for his hard work and outstanding initiative over 45 years in business that has increased the profile and success of the region’s foodservice community. These awards were determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee.
The 2020 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award was given to ROCKLANDS Barbeque and Grilling Co. (30 years), Vace Italian Delicatessen (40 years), and Mrs. K’s Toll House (90 years), dining staples celebrating decades serving locals and visitors throughout metropolitan Washington.
Remaining winners of the 38th Annual RAMMY Awards are:
Upscale Brunch of the Year: Trummer’s
Casual Brunch of the Year: All-Purpose – Shaw
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: The Salt Line
Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: Shouk
Service Program of the Year: St. Anselm
Beer Program of the Year: Roofers Union
Cocktail Program of the Year: Royal
Wine Program of the Year: Field & Main
Casual Restaurant of the Year: CHIKO – Capitol Hill
Employee of the Year: Yasmin Orozco, Taco Bamba Taqueria – Springfield
Manager of the Year: Jamal Flowers, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co. – Alexandria
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Atlas Brew Works
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Three Blacksmiths
New Restaurant of the Year: Cane
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Poca Madre
Pastry Chef of the Year: Paola Velez, Kith/Kin [now Maydan and Compass Rose]
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Angel Barreto, Anju
Restaurateur of the Year: Yama Jewayni, Katsuya Fukushima, Daisuke Utagawa, Daikaya Group
Chef of the Year: David Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
Congratulations to the winners and all those who were nominated for RAMMY awards. We look forward to celebrating with you next year. Hopefully the hugs will not have to be virtual.
