On Monday, March 12, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced this year’s nominees for the 2018 RAMMY awards. The RAMMY awards celebrate the excellence of the best and brightest in the food and beverage industry.
Washington has become a vibrant town known for its phenomenal dining as well as spectacular cocktail, beer and wine programs. This year’s nominees represent a wide variety of this amazing community.
The 2018 RAMMY awards will be given in twenty categories. While the majority of the awards are voted on by the restaurant community, 4 are voting on by the general public. These categories include Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year and Favorite Fast Bites. Voting which is sponsored by NBC4 for these categories runs from March 13th through April 30th. To participate in voting, follow this link.
Thethe 2018 RAMMY awards will be handed out on June 10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the RAMMY Awards Gala. Tickets can be purchased here.
Here’s the complete list of nominees:
Regional Food & Beverage Provider of the Year
- Atlas Brew Works
- Bluejacket
- Ivy City Smokehouse
- Logan Sausage Co
- Right Proper Brewing Company
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year
- Coastal Sunbelt Produce
- Congressional Seafood
- Streetsense
- Trimark Adams-Burch
- USI Insurance Services
New Restaurant of the Year
- Arroz
- Bresca
- Chiko
- Del Mar
- Maydan
Cocktail Program of the Year
- Bar Charley
- barmini by José Andrés
- Espita Mezcaleria
- Royal
- Petworth Citizen and Reading Room
Beer Program of the Year
- Brasserie Beck
- Owen’s Ordinary
- Republic
- Roofer’s Union
- The Sovereign
Wine Program of the Year
- Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
- Le Dipolomate
- Range
- Trummer’s on Main
Rising Culinary Star of the Year
- Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan – Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen & Maydan
- Carlos Delgado – China Chicano
- Daniela Moreira – Timber Pizza Company
- Michael Rafidi – Arroz & Requin
- Russell Smith – The Source by Wolfgang Puck
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year
- Bar Charley
- Cheesetique – Shirlington
- Fare Well
- Right Proper Brewing Company
- The Dish
Upscale Brunch of the Year
- Osteria Morini
- Seasons
- Sfoglina
- The Restaurant at Patowmack Farms
- The Source By Wolfgang Puck
Casual Brunch of the Year
- Ambar Capitol Hill
- Ari’s Diner
- Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern
- Maketto
- Vinoteca
Favorite Fast Bites
- G by Mike Isabella
- Moby Dick House of Kabob
- Shouk
- Stomping Ground
- Taco Bamba Taqueria
Employee of the Year
- Gerarda Lazo – Pizzeria Paradiso
- Sharon Rissal – Jaleao, Bethesda
- Pete Rymshaw – The Salt Line
- Edgar Salvador – Centrolina
- Andrea Tateosian – Urbana
Manager of the Year
- Julio Amador – Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
- Daniel Coughlan – Cork Wine Bar & Market
- Matthew McQuilkin – Pizzeria Paradiso
- Heidi Minora – Commissary
- Adam Rigaa – Brasserie Beck
Service Program of the Year
- Bourbon Steak
- Le Diplomate
- minibar by José Andrés
- The Red Hen
- Tosca
Casual Restaurant of the Year
- Daikaya
- Duke’s Grocery
- Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern
- Royal
- Timber Pizza Company
Upscale Casual Restaurant
- Centrolina
- Clarity
- Iron Gate
- Maketto
- Sushi Taro
Pastry Chef of the Year
- Fabrice Bendano – Le Diplomate
- Naomi Gallego – Neighborhood Restaurant Group
- Tiffany MacIsaac – Buttercream Bakeshop
- Pichet Ong – Maketto
- Erin Reed – Blue Duck Tavern
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
- Fiola Mare
- Masseria
- Rasika
- The Source by Wolfgang Puck
- Trummerr’s on Main
Chef of the Year
- Kyle Bailey – The Salt Line
- Amy Brandewein – Centrolina
- David Deshaies –Unconventional Diner
- Katsuya Fukushima – Daikaya Group
- Rob Rubba – Hazel
Restaurateur of the Year
- Stephen and Mark Fedorchak & Brian Normiles – Liberty Tavern Restaurant Group
- Ari Gejdenson – Mindful Restaurants
- Jamie Lees – JL Restaurant Group
- Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fuushima and Yawa Jewayni – Daikaya Group
- Ype von Hengst and Bob Giaimo – Silver Diner & Silver
Photos: Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington/Facebook from http://www.kaloramaphoto.com/