Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Named The 2024 RAMMYS Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year

Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Named The 2024 RAMMYS Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year

Inaugural RAMMYS Honors Event also recognized Kathy E. Hollinger with the 2024 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award and six DMV dining destinations with Honorary Milestone Awards

Washington, DC (June 18, 2024)—Restaurant industry professionals and their allies gathered tonight at the historic Watergate Hotel for the first-ever RAMMYS Honors event as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced a range of special distinctions determined by the organization’s executive committee. Hosted by author, seasoned democratic strategist, and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, Symone Sanders Townsend, the inaugural event honored the RAMMYS Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year Winner, the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award Winner, The Greater Washington Partnership CEO Kathy E. Hollinger, and six RAMMYS Honorary Milestone Award recipients.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional contributions of Kathy E. Hollinger with the 2024 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award,” said Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. “Kathy’s dedication and visionary leadership have significantly advanced our industry, making her a true trailblazer. Additionally, we are proud to honor the six RAMMYS Milestone Award recipients whose remarkable achievements and enduring commitment have enriched our culinary community. This event is a testament to the talent, hard work, and passion that define the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene.”

The Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year is presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW. This year’s award winner, The Carlos Rosario School, delivers high-quality education, career training, and supportive services that enable adult immigrants to realize their dreams while strengthening our community and economy. With over 50 years of experience providing quality education to the diverse immigrant population of the District of Columbia through English as a second language programs, workforce development, and support services, the Carlos Rosario School is proud to have offered a better way of life for more than 80,000 graduates. Its culinary arts program still serves as a premier certification program after 30 years of being offered.

The longest running school of its kind, the Carlos Rosario School has worked closely with RAMW for many years, connecting graduate students to jobs, soliciting students from the restaurant membership, supporting its students through Educated Eats scholarships, and aiding mentorship programs. The Carlos Rosario School is proud to have 80 countries and over 60 languages represented in its diverse student population. The other 2024 Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year Finalists include Ecolab, Harmony Group, Inc., Keany Produce & Gourmet, and Preferred Insurance Services, Inc.

The Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award was given to Greater Washington Partnership CEO Kathy E. Hollinger for her excellence and community leadership, increasing the profile and success of the metropolitan Washington foodservice community. Prior to joining the Partnership, Hollinger was President & CEO of RAMW and head of RAMW’s Educated Eats Foundation, where she represented the interests of thousands of restaurants and the foodservice industry for over a decade.

The 2024 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award recipients were also honored, celebrating a significant number of years serving locals and visitors in Metropolitan Washington: The Dubliner (50 years), Black’s Bar & Kitchen (25 years), Equinox on 19th (25 years), KAZ Sushi Bistro (25 years), Marcel’s (25 years), and Passage to India (25 years).

The 42nd Annual RAMMY Awards Gala will take place on Sunday, July 21, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 2024 RAMMYS sponsors include Events DC, Amazon, National Landing Business Improvement District, NBC Washington/Telemundo 44, JP Morgan Chase, Resy, DoorDash, Republic National Distributing Co., Club Glow, Stratus Firm, Design Foundry, Studiio Box, Pepco, an Exelon Company,  Destination DC, Washington Gas, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, DC Office of Cable, Television, Film, Movies, and Entertainment, Saval Foodservice, Congressional Seafood, and many industry supporters. For more information, visit www.therammys.org.

The RAMMYS

Presented by 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 2008, The RAMMYS celebrate one of metropolitan Washington’s greatest assets: Its restaurants. For more information regarding the June reception or the July RAMMY Awards, tickets, and how to support the program, visit TheRAMMYS.org.

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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