| RAMMY Award Winners Revealed |
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RAMMY Award Winners Revealed as DC Area’s Restaurant Awards Gala Rocks Guests into the NightWashington, DC- The winners of the much anticipated RAMMY Awards were announced on Sunday, June 25th, at the 24th annual RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala, presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Masters of Ceremonies Sue Palka of FOX5 and James Adams of NBC4 presided over the event, which honored those who have “rocked” Washington’s restaurant community. “We are thrilled that our restaurant awards gala, has evolved into one of the most recognized restaurant events in the nation,” said RAMW President Lynne Breaux.According to Gala Chair Gus DiMillo of Passion Foods Hospitality, this year’s awards gala celebrated the success of the Washington area’s chefs and restaurateurs who have garnered national acclaim and raised the culinary profile of our nation’s capital. The RAMMYs have also become one of the few galas in the nation’s capital where guests feel free to trade in their conservative attire and chef coats for splashy, creative outfits. The sold-out event attracted more than 1600 attendees dressed in black tie or creative “glam rock” attire -- often planned months in advance -- from black leather and rhinestone jeans to glittery evening gowns worthy of a major awards show. Carrying out this year’s “Restaurants Rock” theme, the Marriott Wardman Park was transformed with red leather and zebra prints, while a high-energy band rocked guests into the night. 2006 “RAMMY” Award winners included: Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Evening Star Café Hottest Bar Scene of the Year: Clyde’s of Gallery Place Power Spot of the Year: The Capital Grille New Restaurant of the Year: BlackSalt Fish Market & Restaurant Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Maestro Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year: KAZ Sushi Bistro Chef of the Year: José Andrés, minibar by José Andrés/Jaleo/Café Atlantico/Zaytinya/Oyamel Restaurant Employee of the Year: Santos Fuentes, Chef Geoff's Pastry Chef of the Year: Zoe Behrens, 1789 Restaurant Wine and Beverage Program of the Year: Charlie Palmer Steak Restaurant Manager of the Year: Danny Boylen, Notti Bianche Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Johnny Monis, Komi Favorite Restaurant of the Year: Sweetwater Tavern The public voted on who took home the RAMMY Awards for Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year, Hottest Bar Scene of the Year, Power Spot of the Year, and Favorite Restaurant of the Year. RAMW named Robert Pincus, chair of Fidelity and Trust Bank, as the recipient of the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, and Krupin O’Brien LLC as RAMW Associate Member of the Year. In addition, WHERE Magazine presented its Where Magazine Visitors Choice Award to Clyde’s. A panel of esteemed Washington food writers and hospitality industry educators selected the winners of the remaining awards. Sponsors included: ProChile, The Washington Post, Snow Queen Vodka, Profish, Sustainable Iceland, BB&T, Chefs Warehouse, Comcast of the District, Fidelity & Trust Bank, Hisaoka Public Relations, Law Offices of Andrew J. Kline, Morris Visitor Publications, Santa Lucia Estate Coffee, SYSCO Food Services of Baltimore, U. S. Foodservices/Baltimore-Manassas and Washington, DC Convention & Tourism Corporation. Partial proceeds of ticket sales benefited displaced restaurant workers who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina through The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, administered by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation. A portion of also benefited the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Education Foundation, which helps area high school students develop viable careers in the restaurant/hospitality business and provides post-secondary school hospitality scholarships. Established in 1920, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's vision is to unite restaurateurs and food service industry professionals of the Washington area. Today, RAMW has more than 500 members, and is the voice of establishments ranging from casual eateries to internationally-acclaimed fine dining restaurants. |
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