By Allison Michelli
On Sunday, June 22 The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) honored the best of restaurants, chefs, restaurateurs and managers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area at the 32nd annual RAMMY Awards.
The 20 award winners included a smattering of Northern Virginia culinary figures: Caitlin Dysart of the 2941 Restaurant (Falls Church) was named Pastry Chef of the Year and Michael Babin of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group was named Restaurateur of the Year. Neighborhood Restaurant Group owns and operates a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars throughout Northern Virginia including Evening Star (Alexandria), Vermilion (Alexandria), Tallula Restaurant (Arlington), EatBar (Arlington), Rustico Restaurant and Bar (Alexandria, Arlington), Buzz Bakery and Lounge (Alexandria, Arlington) and Columbia Firehouse (Alexandria).
RAMMY winners were chosen by the voting public in four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites. Remaining categories were judged by a panel of food and dining journalists and critics, educators and food service industry professionals.
New to the RAMMYs this year were seven award categories: Cocktail Program of the Year, Beer Program of the Year, Service Program of the Year, Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year, Upscale Casual Brunch, Everyday Casual Brunch and Favorite Fast Bites. Red Apron Butchery (Merrifield) claimed one of these new categories, being named the Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year.
Full list of winners from the 32nd Annual RAMMY Awards:
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Fiola
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Ripple
Everyday Casual Restaurant of the Year: Toki Underground
New Restaurant of the Year: The Red Hen
Chef of the Year: Haidar Karoum, Doi Moi, Estadio, Proof
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Michael Friedman, The Red Hen
Pastry Chef of the Year: Caitlin Dysart, 2941 Restaurant
Wine Program of the Year: Ripple
Cocktail Program of the Year***: Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Beer Program of the Year***:Birch and Barley / ChurchKey
Service Program of the Year***: Blue Duck Tavern
Restaurateur of the Year: Michael Babin, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year***: Red Apron Butcher
Favorite Gathering Place of the Year:Hank’s Oyster Bar – Dupont Circle
Upscale Casual Brunch***: Mintwood Place
Everyday Casual Brunch***:Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Favorite Fast Bites***: Amsterdam Falafelshop
Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year:ProFish, Ltd.
Employee of the Year: Stelios Alexandris, 1789 Restaurant
Manager of the Year: Boo Young Kim, District Commons
***Denotes a new award in 2014
