Fully vaccinated restaurant industry professionals and their fans gathered Sunday night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the 39th Annual RAMMY Awards as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners and awarded a range of special distinctions following a year unlike any other. Special for this year only, RAMW, the esteemed panel of RAMMYS judges, and the 2021 RAMMYS Chairs Committee came together to identify categories that spoke to 2020 and the myriad of challenges, unforeseen hurdles, and opportunities that let creativity and ingenuity shine.
For almost forty years, The RAMMY Awards have honored the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the Metropolitan Washington region’s restaurant and foodservice community. Recognizing that it would not be fair to assess the industry on performance in 2020, RAMW and RAMMYS stakeholders created timely categories that spoke to all the ways the region’s industry uniquely met those challenges.
The winners of the 2021 RAMMY Awards are (*denotes publicly voted category*):
Managers of the Year:
Otgontuya Davaasuren, All Set Restaurant & Bar
Khawla Gasmi, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar, & Eatery
Autumn Harriger, Destination Unknown Restaurants/Espita
Jordan Lee, Thamee Restaurant
Tylyn Mallon, Right Proper Brewing Company
Brian McGahey, Modena Restaurant
Gilbert Mejia, Nobu DC
Robert Micheli, Dirty Habit
Daurio Passaia, Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
Karina Wilkey, Sunnyside Restaurant Group
Employees of the Year:
Gabriela Araujo, Bresca
Ruben Avila, PassionFish Reston
Freddy Bastidas, Blue Duck Tavern
Adrian Godinez, RPM Italian
Rosa Martinez, Alta Strada & Nama
Mileyda Montezuma, Immigrant Food
Fredy Nataren, Tryst Trading Co.
Celina Nava, Estadio
Alicia Ramos, Convivial
Maria Serrano, Sababa
Finer Dining in a Box: Cranes
Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game: Oyster Oyster
Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign (Indoors or Outdoors): Clarity
Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market: Neighborhood Restaurant Group/Neighborhood Provisions
Good Neighbor Award, Individual Honors:
Erik Bruner-Yang, Power of 10
Willa Pelini, Paola Velez, and Rob Rubba, Bakers Against Racism
Anna Valero, Hook Hall Helps
Mark Bucher and Medium Rare, Feed The Fridge
Danny Lee, Support of Immigrant and AAPI Community
Kevin Tien and Tim Ma, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate
Jonathan Krinn, A Taste of DC in VA and To Community and Beyond: Crossing Culinary Bridges Guest DC Chef Series
David, Guas, Bayou Bakery Coffee Bar & Eatery, Chefs Feeding Families
Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn, National Guard Inauguration Program, and More
Edward Lee, The LEE Initiative
Good Neighbor Award, Company/Organization Honors:
Coconut Club
Immigrant Food
Keany Produce & Gourmet
KNEAD Hospitality + Design
Saval Foodservice
World Central Kitchen
*Outstanding Ghost Kitchen or Pop-up Concept*: DC Ghostburger
*Coolest Cocktails and Beverages To-Go*: Cactus Cantina
*Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go*: Ristorante i Ricchi
*Prime Pandemic Patio Scene*: Le Diplomate
*Technology Trailblazers*: Silver Diner
*Splendid Holidays at Home Offerings*: 1f2
*Festive Foodie Experiences*: Eva Kronenburg, YouTube Cooking Series
*Hottest Sandwich Shop*: Roaming Rooster
*Stellar Brunches at Home*: Call Your Mother
The 2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award was presented to dining staples celebrating a significant number of years serving locals and visitors in Metropolitan Washington. Glory Days Grill was recognized for 25 years, La Chaumière for 45 years, Peacock Cafe for 30 years, Pizzeria Paradiso for 30 years, and Ristorante Piccolo for 35 years of serving diners.
Additionally, The RAMMYS judges panel added two special honorable mentions this year. While these are not official categories, and RAMW did not solicit nominations for them, the judges felt these two industry groups deserved a special moment of recognition.
Wine To Go Program – Honorable Mention
Dio Wine Bar
Domestique
Flight Wine Bar
Grand Cata
La Jambe
Maxwell Park
Sonny’s Pizza
Squash Club DC
Tail Up Goat/Reveler’s Hour
The Girl and The Vine
Sweet Relief: Baking and Pastry To Go – Honorable Mention
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Baker’s Against Racism
Buttercream Bakeshop
Bread and Water Co.
Donut Run
MASTIHA
Pluma by Bluebird Bakery
Sunday Morning Bakehouse
The Dapper Fox
Yellow
