2025 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award Honoree: Ruth Gresser
RAMMYS Honors: Ruth Gresser - Celebrating the 2025 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award Winner
In a region with a dining culture as storied as any around the globe, Ruth Gresser—a culinary pioneer, community advocate, and champion of local flavor—stands as the bustling center with the most essential of culinary building blocks: pizza.
As the visionary who evolved Pizzeria Paradiso from a beloved eatery into a beacon of hope, we are so proud to honor Ruth with the 2025 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award—recognizing her
decades of leadership, innovation, and generosity in shaping the region’s restaurant industry.
When Ruth opened Pizzeria Paradiso 34 years ago, her vision was simple yet revolutionary: create a warm, welcoming space where high quality food and community spirit could thrive side by side. That commitment to great food and even greater purpose continues to define her legacy. “The most consistent thing I hear from customers,” Ruth shares, “is that the people who work at Paradiso seem to really want to be there. That energy, that comfort, is what keeps people coming back.”
Pizza, to Ruth, is more than a meal. It’s an invitation. “It’s bread, it’s the earth, and it can be topped with all the things that nourish us,” she explains. Her approach has always been to elevate everyday. From wood-fired ovens and top tier ingredients to an enduring culture of hospitality, Pizzeria Paradiso isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a cornerstone of DC’s culinary identity.
Ruth’s impact doesn’t end (or even start, really) with pizza. Over the years, she’s become a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion across the food industry. “I came into this industry as a lesbian in the 1980s. This space welcomed people who didn’t conform to traditional norms. It gave us a place to thrive.”
That legacy of openness and opportunity remains central to her work today. And, her advice to the next generation: “Just do it. The world needs leaders who are focused on equality, opportunity, and community.”
During the COVID 19 pandemic, Ruth’s commitment deepened. As restaurants pivoted and adapted, she worked with World Central Kitchen and others to feed those in need. That experience planted a seed. “Even when the emergency ends, hunger doesn’t. There’s a huge opportunity for restaurants to become long-term partners in addressing food insecurity and in making high-quality, nourishing food accessible to all.”
Ruth’s story is one of resilience, rooted values, and an unshakable belief in the power of food to bring people together. From teaching at home chefs with her book Kitchen Workshop Pizza, to keeping her employees at the center of every decision, she continues to lead with care and intention.
As DC’s dining scene continues to evolve, Ruth remains hopeful.
“This city is entrepreneurial, diverse, and filled with independent restaurants that truly engage with the community. There’s been an incredible synergy between DC and its restaurants, and I feel lucky to have grown alongside both.”
Join the Celebration
The RAMMYS Honors Cocktail Reception returns for its second year on Tuesday, July 1, at The Schuyler at the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, DC. This celebration will spotlight Ruth and other Milestone Honorees and other individuals, like Ruth Gresser, who’ve made an impact on the District’s restaurant industry.
Then, mark your calendar for the culinary event of the year: the 43rd Annual RAMMYS Awards & Gala on Sunday, August 3, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Learn more about both events and join us in celebration.