36th Annual RAMMY Awards Get Prized, Political
Top foodservice industry professionals and their foodie fans gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this week for the 36th Annual RAMMY Awards. Not only was there anticipation as Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced winners in 21 award categories, but the night also served as a mouthpiece for the industry surrounding the upcoming June 19th Initiative 77 vote to decide whether to eliminate the tipped minimum wage.
“What do restaurants mean to Washington, DC? And what do restaurant workers mean to our city?” contemplated DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, in attendance to honor awardees. “The truth is that our economy is largely driven by hospitality. It is largely driven by people going to restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to have fun; For conventioners to bring big groups to our city and enjoy the experience. And we know it’s our restaurant workers who are at the heart of that experience. So let me say from the bottom of my heart ‘Thank you.'”
“So people ask me, ‘Bowser, What are you going to do on 77?’ and I say, ‘Well, I’m not voting for 77, and you shouldn’t either.’ But more than that, I said, ‘Don’t ask me. Ask the workers what they think.’ And what I hear from them, because I’m in restaurants almost every single day, is that people are spending money in our restaurants and leaving great tips… and that is how our workers are supporting their families and affording a great quality of life in our region.”
Among those great restaurants providing an amazing DC experience were the 2018 RAMMY Award winners:
Upscale Brunch of the Year: Osteria Morini
Casual Brunch of the Year: Ambar Capitol Hill
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: The Daily Dish
Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: Moby Dick House of Kabob
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Gerald Addison and Chris Morgan, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen, Maydan
Beer Program of the Year: Owen’s Ordinary
Cocktail Program of the Year: Espita Mezcaleria
Wine Program of the Year: BOURBON STEAK
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: USI Insurance Services
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Right Proper Brewing Company
Employee of the Year: Andrea Tateosian, Urbana
Manager of the Year: Heidi Minora, Commissary
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Clarity
Casual Restaurant of the Year: Ivy City Smokehouse Tavern
Service Program of the Year: minibar by José Andrés
Restaurateur of the Year: Ari Gejdenson, Mindful Restaurants
Pastry Chef of the Year: Tiffany MacIsaac, Buttercream Bakeshop
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Masseria
New Restaurant of the Year: CHIKO, and
Chef of the Year: Amy Brandwein, Centrolina
The selection process for the winners involved two esteemed groups, the voting public and an anonymous panel of volunteer judges, consisting of food and dining journalists, educators and foodservice industry professionals. The voting public decided the winners in four categories (Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites) and you’ll decide your favorites as you make reservations NOW to try out each of these places for yourself. And head to the polls to support on June 19th!
