2014 RAMMY Award Winners Announced

Washington, DC (June 22, 2014)—Top foodservice industry professionals and their fans gathered tonight at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the 32nd Annual RAMMY Awards as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners in 20 award categories. To keep up with metropolitan Washington’s quickly evolving dining scene, new this year were seven award categories, celebrating brunches, service programs, mixology and other definitive aspects of the greater Washington’s restaurant and foodservice industry.

The selection process for the winners involved two esteemed groups, the voting public and a panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and foodservice industry professionals who remained anonymous to the public as well as each other through the judging process. The voting public decided the winners in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites.

RAMW honored two additional members with the Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year, given to ProFish, Ltd. for exemplifying commitment to and support of RAMW, and the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, presented to former RAMW president Lynne Breaux for dedication and leadership that has helped transform Washington’s restaurant scene into today’s vibrant world class industry. These awards were determined by RAMW’s Executive Committee.

The winners of the 32nd Annual RAMMY Awards are:

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Fiola

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Ripple

Everyday Casual Restaurant of the Year: Toki Underground

New Restaurant of the Year: The Red Hen

Chef of the Year: Haidar Karoum, Doi Moi, Estadio, Proof

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Michael Friedman, The Red Hen

Pastry Chef of the Year: Caitlin Dysart, 2941 Restaurant

Wine Program of the Year: Ripple

Cocktail Program of the Year***: Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Beer Program of the Year***: Birch and Barley / ChurchKey

Service Program of the Year***: Blue Duck Tavern

Restaurateur of the Year: Michael Babin, Neighborhood Restaurant Group

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year***: Red Apron Butcher

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Hank’s Oyster Bar – Dupont Circle

Upscale Casual Brunch***: Mintwood Place

Everyday Casual Brunch***: Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

Favorite Fast Bites***: Amsterdam Falafelshop

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: ProFish, Ltd.

Employee of the Year: Stelios Alexandris, 1789 Restaurant

Manager of the Year: Boo Young Kim, District Commons

***Denotes a new award in 2014

For more information regarding the winners of these awards, visit therammys.org or email therammys@ramw.org.

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The RAMMYS

Presented by the 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 for four consecutive years, 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.