There was glamour, glee, and countless expressions of camaraderie Sunday night as the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington held its 35th Annual RAMMY Awards at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Professionals from all facets of the industry, along with their supporters, honored nominees and recipients in 21 RAMMY Award categories. Winners were consistent in shout outs to their teams, recognizing the collaboration and hard work that brought them success.
The selection process for the winners involved the voting public in four categories (Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, 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 in all others.
Here are some of the winners:
Chef of the Year: Tarver King of The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
- I celebrated my birthday at the restaurant in June, and in my post describe how I reveled in the natural beauty of the scenery- both in the landscape and on the plate.
New Restaurant of the Year: Hazel
- I wrote about the Shaw restaurant last year in a post called “Lamenting Lost Leftovers.” The restaurant has became one of my DC favorites.
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Proof
- I got souped up at the restaurant last fall. Read about it here.
Upscale Brunch of the Year: Convivial
- I was happy to meet Convivial when it arrived on the scene in 2015, and wrote a post about the restaurant not long after it opened. I have yet to visit for brunch, which I must rectify soon.
Other winners:
Employee of the Year: Joseph Cassis, PassionFish Bethesda
Manager of the Year: John Grace, The Hamilton
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Ryan Ratino, Ripple
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: DC Brau Brewing Company
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Casual Brunch of the Year: Republic
Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: Cava Grill
Casual Restaurant of the Year: Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
Beer Program of the Year: Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Cocktail Program of the Year: Kapnos by Mike Isabella
Wine Program of the Year: Charlie Palmer Steak
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: Acme Paper & Supply Co., Inc.
Pastry Chef of the Year: Jemil Gadea, Masseria
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: minibar by José Andrés
Service Program of the Year: The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Restaurateur of the Year: Ike Grigoropoulos, Dimitri Moshovitis, Ted Xenohristos, Brett Schulman, Cava Group, Inc
Ashok Bajaj was recognized with the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.
