Food service professionals and those who write about them, publicize them, and eat and drink in their establishments gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center Sunday night for the 36th Annual RAMMY Awards. It was a beautiful night with attendees glammed up and ready to celebrate.

There is plenty of food, drink, dancing, and schmoozing at the RAMMY’s, but first the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners in 21 award categories at an awards ceremony.

The selection process for the winners involves the voting public and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and industry professionals. An online vote open to the public decides the winners in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites. Stipulations: Nominees must be members of RAMW, previous winners cannot be nominated again in the same category for five years, and some categories require restaurants to be open a certain number of years to be eligible.

Here are the winners:

Upscale Brunch of the Year: Osteria Morini

Casual Brunch of the Year: Ambar Capitol Hill

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: The Daily Dish

Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: Moby Dick House of Kabob

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen, Maydan

 Beer Program of the Year: Owen’s Ordinary

 Cocktail Program of the Year: Espita Mezcaleria

 Wine Program of the Year: BOURBON STEAK

 Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Right Proper Brewing Company

 Employee of the Year: Andrea Tateosian, Urbana

Manager of the Year: Heidi Minora, Commissary

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Clarity

 Casual Restaurant of the Year: Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern

 Service Program of the Year: minibar by José Andrés

Restaurateur of the Year: Ari Gejdenson, Mindful Restaurants

 Pastry Chef of the Year: Tiffany MacIsaac, Buttercream Bakeshop

 Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Masseria

New Restaurant of the Year: CHIKO

Chef of the Year: Amy Brandwein, Centrolina

RAMW honored four additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year, given to USI Insurance Services for exemplifying commitment to and support of RAMW, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, presented to restaurant founder and publican Daniel J. Coleman for his hard work and outstanding initiative that has increased the profile and success of the metropolitan Washington foodservice community, the Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award presented to José Andrés and Patricia Fernandez de la Cruz for their remarkable contributions to the Washington, DC region, and for their incredible efforts they have taken as citizens of the world, and the 2018 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award given to Tony and Joe’s, a Georgetown dining staple celebrating 30 years on the Washington Harbour. These awards were determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee.

Countries showcasing their food at the RAMMY’s dinner: Peru, Chile, Argentina, Korea, and Tunisia.

ProChile and the Embassy of Chile who are long-time partners of RAMW and supporters of the DC restaurant community went all out.  They offered up a menu of Chilean quinoa salad, baked Patagonia Mussels gratine, hot smoked Chilean salmon, grass-fed beef meatballs, salmon stuffed with asparagus and tomatoes, and wine-soaked Chilean berries with macaron.

 

 

The RAMMYS

Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), The RAMMY Awards Gala honors the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region’s restaurants and foodservice community. Named the #1 Food & Restaurant event by BIZBASH Magazine since 2009, The RAMMYS celebrate one of Metropolitan Washington’s greatest assets: Its restaurants.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. The Association works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming and events. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity, and provide them the training, education and support they need to grow a successful business.