Did you vote for the RAMMY Awards this year? Things were different this time around. Due to the pandemic, our region’s culinary Oscars, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), focused on a slew of new categories in order to best reflect the challenges that eateries overcame in 2020. Rather than judging performance of chefs and restaurants, the RAMMYS team minted categories that applied better to how businesses were able to excel in the COVID-19 era. Membership in RAMW was also not a prerequisite this year, meaning awards for restaurants, people, and businesses that were previously ineligible. The winners were announced last night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in DC.
Below, find the list of all the winners. NoVA-based champions (or those with NoVA locations) are in italics. Categories voted for by the public are noted with asterisks.
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
Little Sesame
Peruvian Brothers
Pizzeria Paradiso
RASA
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*: Chef Geoff’s
*Festive Foodie Experiences*: Eva Kronenburg, YouTube Cooking Series
*Hottest Sandwich Shop*: Roaming Rooster
*Stellar Brunches at Home*: Call Your Mother
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
2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award:
Glory Days Grill (25 years)
La Chaumière (45 years)
Peacock Cafe (30 years)
Pizzeria Paradiso (30 years)
Ristorante Piccolo (35 years)
Feature image by Jonathan Timmes
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