Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Announces 2018 RAMMY Awards Finalists

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Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Announces 2018 RAMMY Awards Finalists
Winners in 20 regional award categories to be announced June 10

Washington, DC (March 12, 2018)—Top industry professionals gathered tonight at The Hamilton Live at The Hamilton as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced finalists for the 2018 RAMMY Awards, the winners of which will be announced at a black-tie gala on Sunday, June 10.

Any RAMW member who met all category requirements was eligible for nomination. The selection process for the finalists, and ultimately the winners, involves two esteemed groups, the voting public and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and foodservice industry professionals. The voting public will decide the winners in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year and Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. Votes for these categories can be cast online at www.nbcwashington.com/RAMMYS through Monday, April 30, 2018 at 5:00PM.

RAMW honors two additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year, presented to an Allied member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW, and the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, given for dedication and leadership that has helped transform Washington’s restaurant scene into today’s vibrant restaurant industry. These awards are determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee. The Duke Zeibert Award recipient is announced each year in April.

The finalists for the 2018 RAMMY Awards are:

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The award is presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW. This award recipient is determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee.

• Coastal Sunbelt Produce
• Congressional Seafood
• Streetsense
• TriMark Adams-Burch
• USI Insurance Service

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant rooted in its neighborhood where guests come to eat, drink, and get together with friends repeatedly. The great atmosphere and good vibes are as important as the food and drink. The nominee must have been open for at least 2 years prior to December 31, 2017.

• Bar Charley
• Cheesetique - Shirlington
• Fare Well
• Right Proper Brewing Company
• The Daily Dish

Upscale Brunch of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in an upscale environment. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2017.

• Osteria Morini
• Seasons
• Sfoglina
• The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck

Casual Brunch of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service and value in a casual environment for brunch. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2017.

• Ambar Capitol Hill
• Ari’s Diner
• Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern
• Maketto
• Vinoteca

Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: This nominee is a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with food menu) that demonstrates a dedication to good food and good service in a fast-casual environment. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2017.

• Moby Dick House of Kabob
• Shouk
• Stomping Ground
• Taco Bamba Taqueria

Cocktail Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its craft cocktail program, evaluated separately from its beer, wine or other beverages. Nominees may be bars, restaurants, or any foodservice establishment with an exemplary cocktail program. The nominee continues to break new ground in education of its staff. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2017.

• Bar Charley
• barmini by José Andrés
• Espita Mezcaleria
• Petworth Citizen and Reading Room
• Royal

Beer Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brew pubs are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their craft beer. The nominee continues to break new ground in education of its staff. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2017.

• Brasserie Beck
• Owen’s Ordinary
• Republic
• Roofers Union
• The Sovereign

Wine Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program. The nominee’s wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience. Wine bars are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their offerings. The nominee continues to break new ground in education of its staff. The nominee must have been in operation for a minimum of one year as of December 31, 2017.

• BOURBON STEAK
• Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
• Le Diplomate
• RANGE
• Trummer’s on Main

Employee of the Year: The nominee is a non-managerial front or back of the house employee who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image.

• Gerarda Lazo, Pizzeria Paradiso
• Sharon Rissal, Jaleo, Bethesda
• Pete Rymshaw, The Salt Line
• Edgar Salvador, Centrolina
• Andrea Tateosian, Urbana

Manager of the Year: The nominee is a non-owner manager or general manager in the food service industry who displays the highest level of professionalism and leadership. This person must be an inspiration and mentor to all his/her co-workers displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image.

• Julio Amador, Cork Wine Bar & Market
• Daniel Coughlan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
• Matthew McQuilkin, Pizzeria Paradiso
• Heidi Minora, Commissary
• Adam Rigaa, Brasserie Beck

Service Program of the Year: This nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in service across the restaurant – from the reservation process, to the host station, to every element of the dining experience. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2017.

• BOURBON STEAK
• Le Diplomate
• minibar by José Andrés
• The Red Hen
• Tosca

Pastry Chef of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef who prepares desserts and baked goods and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. The nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• Fabrice Bendano, Le Diplomate
• Naomi Gallego, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
• Tiffany MacIsaac, Buttercream Bakeshop
• Pichet Ong, Maketto
• Erin Reed, Blue Duck Tavern

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years.

• Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen & Maydan
• Carlos Delgado, China Chilcano
• Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza Company
• Michael Rafidi, Arroz & Requin
• Russell Smith, The Source by Wolfgang Puck

Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service and value in a casual environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2017.

• Daikaya
• Duke’s Grocery
• Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern
• Royal
• Timber Pizza Company

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2017.

• Centrolina
• Clarity
• Iron Gate
• Maketto
• Sushi Taro

New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between December 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and service.

• Bresca
• CHIKO
• Del Mar
• Maydan

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service and atmosphere and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques in a fine dining environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 31, 2017.

• Fiola Mare
• Masseria
• Rasika
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Trummer’s on Main

Chef of the Year: The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of culinary excellence. The nominee displays a dedication to the artistry of food and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line
• Amy Brandwein, Centrolina
• David Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
• Katsuya Fukushima, Daikaya Group
• Rob Rubba, Hazel
   

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: This nominee is a food or beverage artisan who creates a product that is then utilized by chefs and restaurants. Nominees in this category may be cheese makers, coffee roasters, vintners, brewers, distillers, bread bakers, chocolatiers, honey producers, farmers, an ice cream/gelato company and many more. When the artisan is a restaurant or restaurant group, the products created must be utilized by chefs and/or restaurants outside of the maker’s restaurant group. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2017.

• Atlas Brew Works
• Bluejacket
• Ivy City Smokehouse
• Logan Sausage Co.
• Right Proper Brewing Company

Restaurateur of the Year: The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area.

• Stephen and Mark Fedorchak, and Brian Normile, Liberty Tavern Restaurant Group
• Ari Gejdenson, Mindful Restaurants
• Jamie Leeds, JL Restaurant Group
• Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima and Yama Jewayni, Daikaya Group
• Ype von Hengst and Bob Giaimo, Silver Diner & Silver

The winners will be announced at the 36th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. For more information regarding the awards and sponsorship opportunities, email therammys@ramw.org or call 202-331-5990.

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.

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