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November 16, 2023
DC Health Link, the District of Columbia's Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, offers many different health plans to meet every need and budget. Enrollment is easy, and expert help is available.
Annual Special Offer for Coverage Starting January 1
To make sure every DC business can cover its employees, we offer special flexibility for employers starting coverage on January 1st. Employers offering coverage starting January 1st do not have to meet the following standard eligibility requirements:
Fifty percent minimum employer contribution toward employee premiums...
November 10, 2023
The Holiday season is upon us! Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) along with its members are excited for the holiday season, and invite diners to book their next holiday party, special occasion dinner, corporate events, and so much more in expertly designed spaces that serve deliciously curated festive fare and cocktails to take the hassle out of planning. With so much to do with shopping and travel, leave the meal planning to us. Here are our picks for Holiday dining options across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Click or call to order and leave...
November 6, 2023
Contact:
Avery Meetre, LRA PR
avery@lindarothpr.com
202-369-4954
WHAT: DC Cocktail Week, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns as a week-long celebration of the area’s cocktail culture. Enjoy Cocktail Week throughout the Metropolitan region with a variety of restaurants offering tasty cocktails paired with delicious bites, innovative events, and in-house happenings.
The seven-day cocktail celebration leads into Repeal Day, marking the 90th anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition in the United States on December 5, 1933...
November 1, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Shelby O’Malley | LRA PR
Email: shelby@lindarothpr.com
THE ANNUAL DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET RETURNS FOR ITS 19TH YEAR
Enjoy a variety of live entertainment, shop local businesses and munch on sweet treats
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 1, 2023) - This year’s Downtown Holiday Market, presented by DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID and Diverse Markets Management, returns for its 19th year starting Friday, November 17th through Saturday, December 23rd. Once again, the market will be taking two entire blocks of F...
November 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
DC Health Link Open Enrollment Begins Today, Runs Through January 31, 2024; Monthly Premiums Start as Low as $13/Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2023
CONTACT
Susana Castillo (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; susana.castillo@dc.gov
Adam Hudson (DCHBX) – (202) 527-5622; adam.hudson@dc.gov
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, as the 2024 Open Enrollment period begins, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Health Link encourage residents to sign up for high-quality, affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com...
September 7, 2023
Explore the role personal hygiene plays with food safety, and how a clean kitchen significantly helps protect the health of restaurant guests.
This week we look at the role personal hygiene plays in food safety and share proper practices to ensure your staff isn’t putting the health of your guests at risk by neglecting their cleanliness. Join us as we crack the code on proper personal hygiene in kitchens and help you protect your guests from foodborne illnesses by maintaining a clean and tidy staff. Read the full Week 2 blog post here.
September 1, 2023
This week we are examining the effects of time and temperature on food, sharing safe temperatures to cook different types of food, and explaining how to build an effective food temperature policy that your staff can stick to. Understanding food safety temperatures is critical for protecting your guests from foodborne illnesses and earning their trust. All operators and food handlers are responsible for understanding the importance of the temperature danger zone, which foods are most likely to become unsafe, and how to properly check and record food times and temperatures. (Read the full Week...
August 30, 2023
Washington, D.C. (August 29, 2023) – Martin’s Tavern in historic Georgetown, is the city’s oldest family-run restaurant. It was founded by great-grandfather William Solomon Martin, and grandfather, former Major League Baseball player, William Gloyd “Billy” Martin, and opened in 1933 as Prohibition ended. In September 2023, this landmark 98-seat tavern, with an additional 44 seats in the outdoor cafe and “streatery” celebrates its 90th anniversary with Billy Martin at the helm, the four-generation restaurateur in this family that is carrying on his...
August 22, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2023
Contact:
media@ramw.org
202-331-5990
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Names Keiristin Wilbert Communications Manager
Washington, DC (August 22, 2023) - Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), the trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, names Keiristin Wilbert as its new Communications Manager. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource, and community for its members. In this role, Wilbert is the primary media contact for...
August 9, 2023
Builds on Effort to Help Restaurants Comply with District’s Consumer Protection Laws, Ensure Consumers Understand Their Rights
Washington, DC – Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued a Supplemental Business Advisory on restaurants’ legal obligation to adequately disclose all fees – including service fees – to customers.
“District law requires restaurants to disclose any fees in a timely, prominent, and accurate manner," said the attorney general. "Today’s guidance, developed in collaboration with...
July 17, 2023
The rise in operating costs and shortage of restaurant labor has forced restaurant owners to incentivize key employees with performance bonuses and equity by building the ideal restaurant management incentive plan. The ideal incentive or bonus plan should:
Incentivize and reward key employees for increasing profitability and improving the hospitality experience;
Provide an ROI to owners; and
Be simple, self-sustainable, and scalable.
With an effective compensation incentive plan, owners don’t need to be involved in day-to-day operations, and can focus on growing and...
July 13, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Avery Meetre, LRA PR
avery@lindarothpr.com
202-369-4954
Restaurant Week website now live to view participating restaurants + make reservations
Washington, DC (July 13, 2023)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced today the roster of restaurants participating in Summer Restaurant Week from Monday, August 28, through Sunday, September 3. The area’s signature dining promotion invites everyone to close out summer and Labor Day Weekend with the return of one of the area’s most...
May 17, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: John Rorapaugh/Alyssa Bonk
E-mail: johnr@leadingdc.com Tel: (202) 309-1926
E-mail: alyssa@leadingdc.com Tel: (571) 232-6804
FoodJobsDC.com Official Launch
Created for the Industry by the Industry
Restaurant...
May 8, 2023
Serving Responsibly
Why Strengthening Liquor Liability Law is Good Business
Register Here
Are you a District restaurant, bar, or venue operator concerned about the cost of liquor liability insurance and threat of lawsuits?
Join this Operator Town Hall to learn how strengthening dram shop laws help to promote responsible serving practices and reduce alcohol-related harms in communities – all while lowering insurance costs.
The Problem: Unlike most states, District law is vague about how or when a business can be held liable for the actions of an...
April 26, 2023
Renowned chef and restaurateur to be honored with esteemed industry award at reception this June.
Washington, DC (April 26, 2023)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) today announced chef and restaurateur Ris Lacoste as the 2023 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award recipient. One of the most respected and dedicated chefs in the region, Lacoste has earned a reputation built on genuine hospitality, mentoring the next generation of industry workers, and a true love for her team members and the guests she serves. Diners adore her use of high-quality ingredients,...
April 7, 2023
Calculating your restaurant labor cost percentage is essential to running a successful restaurant. The labor cost percentage is the amount of money you spend on employee wages and benefits as it compares to your total sales.
This number is significant because it tells you how much profit you’re making on each dollar that comes through your door. If your labor cost percentage is too high, it means that you’re losing money every time a customer buys food or drinks at your restaurant. This can lead to lower profits and eventually force you out of business if you don’t act fast...
March 23, 2023
Some of the most expensive liquor liability insurance in the country is in the District of Columbia. In some cases, insurance for a neighborhood bar or restaurant costs 100 times more here than in Maryland or Virginia.
Deeper Dive: The exorbitant costs make it hard for businesses of all sizes, but it disproportionately affects small, independently owned neighborhood bars and restaurants, and in particular those owned by entrepreneurs of color.
Good News: Legislation to reform liquor liability laws has been introduced in DC Council.
Tune In: The DC Nightlife Council and...
March 15, 2023
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., March 14, 2023— National Harbor kicks off a huge cherry blossom celebration this year on March 20. Included in the festivities is a face off of National Harbor’s top bartenders/mixologists. The CocktailPro Competition takes place on Friday, March 24, National Cocktail Day from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Sunset Room at National Harbor (137 National Plaza, #200).
Ten bartenders/mixologists will compete to showcase their most noteworthy and creative drinks using Pratt Standard cocktail mixes. Attendees will then vote on who has the best...
March 14, 2023
Join the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's (RAMW) energetic roundtable discussion and hands-on seminar to help you develop your on-air presence and prepare you for live and recorded television segments, social media streams, influencer videos, and more. This informative session will give you actionable tips, tricks, and techniques to make your on-air presence engaging, fun, and informative so that you showcase the best of yourself, your restaurant, and your brand.
Panelists:
Eun Yang, Emmy Winner & Anchor of News4 Today, the #1 rated morning news in...
March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Avery Meetre, LRA PR
avery@lindarothpr.com
202-369-4954
Spring Wine Fling Returns on the Spring Equinox at Locations Throughout the Metropolitan Region
Experience the area’s vibrant wine programs from March 20 through March 31
Washington, DC (February 27, 2023)—Spring Wine Fling, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns from Monday, March 20, through Sunday, March 31. Enjoy specialty two-course dinners with perfectly paired wines at restaurants...
February 27, 2023
LEDC is a CDFI (Community Development Finance Institution) which helps entrepreneurs and small business through lending and technical assistance.
Ideal for established DC-based restaurants in the process of opening an additional location. The expansion must result in significant job creation, intended for low-income individuals, with certain benefits expected.
Loan amounts up to $100,000
Terms up to 5 years
One-time closing fee of 3%
$50 application (plus $20 per co-owner)
Fixed-rate 0% interest
LIMITED FUNDING AVAILABLE
Made possible by a grant from the Community...
February 22, 2023
Bus Will Embark on Four-Day, Five-City Tour in Celebration of DC’s Cherry Blossom Season
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development announced the Cherry Blossom Bus Tour, which will take place from February 26 through March 1. A 45-foot coach bus displaying the National Cherry Blossom Festival theme of pink blossoms and the tag line “Follow Us To Spring!” will embark on a four-day, five-city bus tour starting in Boston, followed by New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and ending...
February 17, 2023 to March 10, 2023
Spring is in the air! As we look forward to the change in seasons and planning for spring activities, we invite you to be part of our 2023 Spring Wine Fling, the promotion that helps turn the winter blues into reds, whites, and rosés!
We've re-tooled the promotion to draw diners to your restaurants - kicking off on the Spring Equinox - for an awesome dining experience that is complimented by wine that you'd like to feature.
This year's promotion is Two Glasses, Two Courses, One Price! Participating restaurants will offer a two-course dinner menu, at...
February 8, 2023
Nominations now open for the capital region’s premier foodservice industry awards
Washington, DC (January 30, 2023)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced today that the 41st Annual RAMMY Awards will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in partnership with Events DC, on Sunday, July 9, 2023. The awards return to honor excellence in long standing categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
Over the past few years, categories and eligibility criteria have been altered...
January 12, 2023
Care Excellence
Here's how to identify signs of seasonal affective disorder
Shorter days this time of year may cause the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder in some. Andrew Davis, MD, a psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente, discusses its symptoms, including oversleeping, lower energy, mood changes, and feeling more depressed.
How Skin Care For Men Is Changing
Over the last 20 years, skin care has become more mainstream for men. Tola Oyesanya, MD, a dermatologist, joined WTOP to share some simple products men can use on their skin that...