Rammy Nominations Announced

The RAMW Restaurant Awards Gala, “The RAMMYS”, one of the areas’ most anticipated and glamorous evenings celebrate and recognize the many extraordinary professionals that comprise the restaurant and associate membership of RAMW.

Each year with a new and exciting theme, RAMW brings together esteemed hospitality leaders for a special evening devoted to honoring excellence in our restaurant and food service community. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of excellence in food, service and atmosphere and shows dedication to sophisticated culinary techniques. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2009.

2941
Michel Richard Citronelle
Minibar by Jose Andres
Oval Room
Source

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year
The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2009.

Central Michel Richard
Liberty Tavern
Proof
Vermilion
Zaytinya

Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year
This nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of quality and congeniality rooted in its neighborhood.

Bar Pilar
Belga
Cork
EatBar
Kemble Park Tavern

New Restaurant of the Year
A restaurant that must have been opened between December 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009 and already distinguishes itself as a pacesetter in food, beverage and service.

Bibiana
Birch & Barley
Bourbon Steak
Eventide
Inox

Chef of the Year
The nominee is an executive chef or chef de cuisine who demonstrates consistent standards of excellence and serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee displays a dedication to The artistry of food, exhibits an ongoing commitment to the community and may be from any type of establishment. The nominee must have been a chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

Bertrand Chemel - 2941
Scott Drewno - The Source
Daniel Giusti - 1789
Vikram Sunderam - Rasika
Haidar Karoum - Proof

Rising Culinary Star of the Year
The nominee is an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years.

Michael Isabella - Zaytinya
Liam LaCivita - The Liberty Tavern
Shannon Overmiller - Majestic Café
Nicholas Stefanelli - Bibiana
Jon Mathieson - Inox

Pastry Chef of the Year
The nominee is a restaurant pastry chef who prepares desserts and pastries and demonstrates a high standard of excellence and culinary artistry. the nominee serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. The nominee must have been a pastry chef for the past five years with a minimum of two years based in the Metropolitan Washington area.

Anthony Chavez - 2941
Amanda Cook - CityZen
Josh Short - Neighborhood Rest. Group
Fabrice Bendano - Adour
Travis Olson - 1789

Wine Program of the Year
The member restaurant is distinguished by the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its wine program. The nominee’s wine program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the dining experience. The nominated restaurant must have been in operation for a minimum of two years by December 1, 2009.

2941
Citronelle
Dino
Knightsbridge
Proof

Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year
The member restaurant is distinguished by the quality, diversity, creativity, clarity and value of its beverage program. The nominee’s beverage program best suits the cuisine and style of the restaurant while enhancing the restaurant experience. The nominated restaurant must have been in operation for a minimum of two years by December 1, 2009.

Brasserie Beck
EatGoodFood Group - Eve, Majestic, PX…
Founding Farmers
PS7's
Tabard Inn

Power Spot of the Year
This nominee is a top choice member restaurant, a spot to “see and be seen” with the movers and shakers on the national and local political and business scene. It best exemplifies “how Metropolitan Washington works.”

Art & Soul
BLT
Bombay Club
Source
Teatro Goldoni

Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year
This nominee is a member restaurant or hotel bar that is innovative with an energetic scene (atmosphere, drink menu, etc.) with a hip and eclectic crowd and is a great people watching and meeting place.

Birch & Barley - Church Key
Bourbon Steak
Masa 14
Posto
POV

Manager of the Year
The nominee is a manager or general manager in the food service industry who displays the highest level of professionalism and leadership with a member business. This person must be an inspiration and mentor to all his/her co-workers displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image.

Souheil Moussadik – CoCo. Sala
Ryan McCarthy – Passion Food Hospitality
Ashley Williams – Mie N Yu
Mark Politzer – Bourbon Steak
Fernando Contreras – KAZ Sushi Bistro

Employee of the Year
The nominee is a non-managerial employee of a member business who serves as a model employee by displaying outstanding service, an excellent work ethic and a positive image. This nominee must have been working in the food service industry for a minimum of three years by December 1, 2009.

Corina August – Mie N Yu
Joe Bolam – Urbana
Adolfo Cajchon – Seasons
Marco Guzman – Café Atlantico
Jose Orantes – Dino

Associate Member of the Year
The RAMW Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year Award is given annually to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW.

ProChile
SYSCO
The Legacy Group
Fiji Water
Adams-Burch