The 40th Annual RAMMY Awards Return on July 24, 2022
Nominations now open for region’s largest foodservice industry awards in milestone year
Washington, DC—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced today that the 40th Annual RAMMY Awards will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as an in-person event on Sunday, July 24, 2022. The awards return to honor excellence in long standing categories that range from individual professional honors to accolades celebrating culinary concepts and service.
Over this milestone year for the association, restaurants have faced relentless challenges, but The RAMMY Awards will continue to honor the accomplishments of the restaurant and foodservice industry across the metropolitan Washington region. The awards exist to shine light on some bright and talented stars who stood out for their talents, resilience, and inspiration to their peers and patrons. Overall, the awards honor the entire industry and offer a moment of celebration, which all in the industry deserve.
Last year, categories and eligibility criteria were different to reflect the challenging 2020 year that restaurants spent creatively rethinking how they operate and how diners engage with their establishments. For 2022, the RAMMYS will return to most of the regular categories as the industry has spent the year rebuilding, recovering, and even opening many new establishments to add to the rich fabric of the regional dining scene. However, a selection of categories appear in the Publicly Voted section, which are influenced by last year’s pivots, and which speak to pandemic-era aspects that both restaurants and diners have continued to enjoy and employ. Another carry over from last year, the Publicly Voted categories are open to ANY foodservice operation in the region, while other categories return to requiring RAMW membership in order to be eligible.
On eligibility, consistent with previous years, restaurants that were previously named winners in the past five years are not eligible to be nominated for that same category. This rule will not apply to the 2021 winners, since categories were so different last year, with exception to the winners in the 2021 Managers and Employees of the Year categories. For more information on The 2022 RAMMYS eligibility criteria, visit therammys.org/eligibility-2022.
Anyone in the public can nominate and those in the industry can nominate themselves and others for the following 2022 RAMMY Awards categories. Visit www.therammys.org to submit nominations.
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year
Casual Restaurant of the Year
New Restaurant of the Year
Wine Program of the Year
Cocktail Program of the Year
Beer Program of the Year
Service Program of the Year
Chef of the Year
Rising Culinary Star of the Year
Pastry Chef of the Year
Manager of the Year
Employee of the Year
Restaurateur of the Year
Publicly Voted Categories:
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year
Best Brunch of the Year
Favorite Fast Bites
Outstanding Pop-Up Concept
Standout Family Meal Packages To Go
Splendid Holidays at Home
Hottest Sandwich Spot
RAMW has begun accepting online nominations for the above categories at www.therammys.org and looks forward to highlighting the industry’s strength, passion, dedication, and support for communities throughout metropolitan Washington. Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 28, at 11:59pm EST. Finalists will be announced at an invite-only event this April.
As always, the RAMW Executive Committee will determine the nominees and honorees for the following categories:
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year
Honorary Milestone Award
For more information regarding the awards, 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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