Congratulations to all of the 2019 RAMMY Winners!

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMMY) held their gala on Sunday, June 30 where they honored the hard working and talented restauranteurs, restaurant organizations, and staff.  These highly prized awards are given to  members of the restaurant food and beverage industry in the Washington Metropolitan region. Special kudos to Valentine King, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen, Alexandria, who was awarded Employee of the Year. Visit these establishments and enjoy all they have to offer!

The winners of the 37th Annual RAMMY Awards are:

• Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: The Veritas Law Firm
• Upscale Brunch of the Year: Unconventional Diner
• Casual Brunch of the Year: Compass Rose Bar & Kitchen
• Favorite Gathering Place of the Year: Open Road
• Favorite Fast Bites of the Year: Taco Bamba Taqueria
• Service Program of the Year: Ambar – Clarendon
• Beer Program of the Year: Republic
• Cocktail Program of the Year: barmini by José Andrés
• Wine Program of the Year: Maxwell Park
• Casual Restaurant of the Year: Royal
• Employee of the Year: Valentine King, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen
• Manager of the Year: Donna Seal, Oceanaire
• Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Ivy City Smokehouse
• Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• New Restaurant of the Year: Spoken English
• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Iron Gate
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Ana Deshaies, Unconventional Diners
• Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Kwame Onwuachi, Kith/Kin
• Restaurateur of the Year: Michael Friedman, Mike O’Malley, Colin McDonough & Gareth Croke, Redstone Restaurant Group (All Purpose, Boundary Stone, The Red Hen)
• Chef of the Year: Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line
• Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award: Virginia Ali, Ben’s Chili Bowl/Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation
• Honorary Milestone Award: The Bombay Club (30 years), Ristorante iRicchi (30 years), Moby Dick House of Kabob (30 years), Silver Diner (30 years, Taberna del Alabardero (30 years), Lebanese Taverna (40 years)
• John G. Laytham Exceptional Leadership & Impact Award: Claude Andersen, Clyde’s Restaurant Group