Cooking and Camaraderie at 2013 RAMMYs


UPDATE
The 2013 Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington awards night, known as the “Oscars of Washington, D.C., area restaurants,” burst with flowers, food and wine as its theme, “Restaurants in Bloom,” took on a whole new meaning June 23.
The Washington area became the home of 50 new restaurants this year, making the RAMMY awards, such as the one for “Rising Culinary Star of the Year,” a more competitive honor. Hosted at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, the RAMMYs recognized members of RAMW for their exemplary commitment to the District and its suburbs as well as for love of food.
The Marriott Wardman Park Hotel also received the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year Award for its commitment and support of RAMW.

More than 1,600 attendees wined and dined at food stations with wine pairings and a chocolate fondue fountain.
The honor of the night, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, was given to longtime D.C. resident and former restaurant owner Linda Lee, for helping make D.C. more of an international destination. For one, Lee has helped to entirely revitalize Chinatown.

Other individual notable winners included Ashok Bajaj, from Knightsbridge Restaurant Group, winning Restauranteur of the Year, Fabio Trabocchi from Fiola as Chef of the Year and Scot Harlan from Green Pig Bistro (Arlington) as Rising Culinary Star. Chef Beverly Bates took the cake for Vidalia, winning Pastry Chef at this year’s awards. Luis Noriega of Zengo won Restaurant Employee.

Mintwood Place was voted Best New Restaurant, and Bar Pilar grabbed the title of the Hottest Bar Scene. Separated by just a few blocks in NW, 14TH Street between Logan Circle and U Street proved its diversity with Bar Pilar’s win and with Estadio recognized as an Upscale Casual Restaurant.

Triple-threat restaurant manager Michael Nevarez of Vidalia, Bistro Bis and Woodward Table won the RAMMY for Restaurant Manager. In the wine and dine department, Room 11 took the RAMMY for Beverage-Mixology Program and March’s by Robert Wiedmaier won for Wine Program.

Dupont Circle’s C.F. Folks Restaurant was recognized as Casual Restaurant of the year and West End’s Blue Duck Tavern won Fine Dining Restaurant. The Power Spot award went to P.J. Clarke’s, and Nellie’s Sports Bar can now be known as Neighborhood Gathering Place.

Georgetown’s M Street landmark, Clyde’s of Georgetown, received the Honorary Milestone award in honor of its 50th year of business.

END UPDATE

The 2013 Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington awards night, known as the “Oscars of Washington, D.C., area restaurants,” bursted with florals, food and wine as its theme, “Restaurants in Bloom,” took on a whole new meaning June 23.

The Washington area became the home of 50 new restaurants this year, making the RAMMY awards, such as the one for “Rising Culinary Star of the Year,” a more competitive honor. Hosted at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, the RAMMYs recognized members of RAMW for their exemplary commitment to the District and its suburbs as well as for love of food.

More than 1,600 attendees wined and dined at food stations with wine pairings and a chocolate fondue fountain.

The honor of the night, the Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award, was given to longtime D.C. resident and former restaurant owner Linda Lee, for helping make D.C. more of an international destination. For one, Lee has helped to entirely revitalize Chinatown.

Other notable winners included Ashok Bajaj from Knightsbridge Restaurant Group winning Restauranteur of the Year, Fabio Trabocchi from Fiola as Chef of the Year and Scot Harlan from Green Pig Bistro as Rising Culinary Star.

Mintwood Place was voted Best New Restaurant, and Bar Pilar grabbed the title of the Hottest Bar Scene.

Georgetown’s M Street landmark, Clyde’s of Georgetown, received the Honorary Milestone award in honor of its 50th year of business.

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