Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Announces 2022 RAMMY Awards Finalists
Foodservice industry celebrates incredible resilience and announces category finalists
Washington, DC—Industry professionals and their fans gathered this evening as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced finalists for the 2022 RAMMY Awards, the winners of which will be named on Sunday, July 24, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The 40th Annual RAMMYS return to honor excellence in long-standing and pandemic-era categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
For 2022, the RAMMYS will return with a program of familiar categories honoring RAMW members, representing a year during which the industry rebuilt, recovered, and grew with new establishments. A selection of categories also speaks to pandemic-era aspects that both restaurants and diners have continued to enjoy and employ - all of which will be decided via public voting that will begin in late April. Another carryover from last year, publicly voted categories are open to any foodservice operation in the region.
The 2022 RAMMY Awards Finalists are (*denotes publicly voted category*):
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 the Executive Committee of RAMW.
Congressional Seafood Co.
CPA Eats
Ecolab
MarginEdge
Saval Foodservice
New Restaurant of the Year: A restaurant that must have opened between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and service. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.
Caruso's Grocery
Daru
Dauphine's
L'Ardente
Oyster Oyster
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 the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Bresca
Serenata
Service Bar
Silver Lyan
The Imperial
Beer Program of the Year: The establishment is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity, and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brewpubs 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 the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Boundary Stone
Caboose Tavern
Quarry House Tavern
Shelter
Sweetwater Tavern
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 the education of its staff. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Albi
Northside Social
Queen's English
Reveler's Hour
Slate Wine Bar
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW or be employed by a member business.
Will Fung, China Chilcano
Christian Irabien, Muchas Gracias
Kat Petonito, The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells
Suresh Sundas, Daru
Elias Taddesse, Mélange
*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 over and over again. The great atmosphere - indoors or outdoors – and good vibes are as important as the food and drink. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Casta's Rum Bar
Comet Ping Pong
Pennyroyal Station
St. Vincent Wine
The Pug
*Best Brunch of the Year*: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in a formal, upscale, or casual 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, 2021.
A&J Restaurant
ala
Blend 111
Maialino Mare
Nina May
*Favorite Fast Bites*: 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, 2021.
Happy Gyro
Little Miner Taco
Little Sesame
Pogiboy
Sunday Morning Bakehouse
*Hottest Sandwich Spot*: Creative and delicious sandwiches continued to be a talked-about food in the DC region this year, and they remained a pivot or side project of some fine dining spots. Whether it was burgers, subs, melts, breakfast sandwiches, tortas, cheesesteaks, or something in between, this nominee had serious sandwiches to write home about. The nominee must have operated the concept between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Cracked Eggery
Mangialardo's
Queen Mother's
The Girl & The Vine
Your Only Friend
*Outstanding Pop-Up Concept*: This nominee is a non-permanent pop-up foodservice concept without a physical space that is showcasing a creative idea, new potential restaurant concept, bar, food truck or delivery menu. The nominee demonstrates a high standard of excellence, creativity, and execution. The nominee must have operated the concept between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
A Presto! Italian Foods
Bun Papa
Della Barba Pizza
JUNE
Tacos A La Madre
*Splendid Holidays at Home*: Restaurants have a way of making special occasions feel extra special, and this year they continued to meet customers at their comfort level as Covid (and other interruptions during the year) uprooted holidays for many. This nominee went all out to create celebratory menus with all the bells and whistles to help guests have memorable holidays at home. The nominee must have offered special holiday menus to go between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
Bayou Bakery
Convivial
Kinship
Stellina
Unconventional Diner
*Standout Family Meal Packages To Go*: Family meal packages – for two, four, or six – flourished when guests were deeply rooted in takeout, and in 2021 guests continued to enjoy the flexibility to dine out, while dining in. This nominee created wholesome and delicious family meal packages to keep families happy and coming back for convenience. The nominee must have offered Family Meals menus to go between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.
2Fifty Texas BBQ
Mintwood Place
Muchas Gracias
Neighborhood Provisions
Thompson Italian
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Raphael Beltran, Et Voila
Amanda Bell, All Purpose - Shaw
Nicole Burdette, Taco Bamba - Springfield
Oscar Iglesias, Moon Rabbit
Herman Machado, The Salt Line - Navy Yard
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Gian Mario Cabiddu, Alta Strada, DC
Sylvain Frances, Et Voila Restaurant
Rob Heim, Shaw's Tavern
Atul Narain, Rasika and Rasika West End
Laure Tartar, Bresca
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 be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Chloe
Iron Gate
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Rose's Luxury
Tail Up Goat
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 be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Baan Siam
La Famosa
Makan
Ruthie's All Day
The Roost
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 be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Albi
Anju
Nama
Rooster and Owl
Shilling Canning Company
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW, or be employed by a member business.
Rochelle Cooper, The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells
Tammy Saunders, Minibar
Katherine Thompson, Thompson Italian
Alicia Wang, No Goodbyes
Aude Buisine, Un Je Ne Sai Quoi
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 be a current member of RAMW and must have been in business a minimum of one year by December 31, 2021.
Cranes
Jônt
Rasika West End
1789 Restaurant
Xiquet by Danny Lledó
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW or be employed by a member business.
Matt Adler, Caruso's Grocery
Cedric Maupillier, Convivial
Shamim Popal, Lapis
Michael Rafidi, Albi
Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster
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. The nominee must be a current member of RAMW.
Michael Babin, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group
Mark Bucher, Medium Rare
Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira, Call Your Mother, Timber Pizza, Turu's Pizza, Mercy Me
Scott Drewno, Danny Lee, The Fried Rice Collective
The 2022 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award recipients will be announced in late Spring, honoring dining staples celebrating a significant number of years serving locals and visitors in Metropolitan Washington.
The winners will be announced at The 40th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, July 24, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 2022 RAMMYS sponsors include Events DC, NBC Washington, and many industry supporters. For more information regarding the awards, tickets, how to support the program, and this year’s format, email therammys@ramw.org. Follow RAMW’s industry blog for regular updates and resources for the region’s restaurant and foodservice community.
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 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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