A Culinary Voice Recognized: Linda Roth’s RAMMY Win
By • July 16, 2025 0 714
Linda Roth has never run a restaurant kitchen, but she’s helped shape the identity of countless dining rooms across the city. A trusted publicist, strategist, and storyteller, Roth has spent decades elevating Washington’s food scene — often from behind the scenes. This year, the spotlight was finally on her.
At a cocktail reception hosted by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington at the Hamilton Hotel, Roth received the 2025 Honorary RAMMY Award — a recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the hospitality industry. For years, she’s been the quiet force guiding some of the most prominent names in dining. On this night, she was the story.
As she stepped to the microphone, Roth greeted a room filled with familiar faces — chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals she’s supported, championed, and helped launch into public view. “There are some legendary restaurateurs here,” she said, before referencing the many major names she’s worked with: Arnie Morton, who brought her on to help open Morton’s outside of Chicago; Roger Berkowitz of Legal Sea Foods; Rich Melman’s Lettuce Entertain You; and Al Copeland, founder of Popeyes.
Though best known for her public relations expertise, Roth has also played the role of chronicler, writing RAMW’s first restaurant gossip column and contributing to Food Service Monthly, the James Beard Foundation’s “DC Dateline,” and now The Georgetowner. “Phyllis Richman was the one who suggested I write,” Roth said, nodding to the former Washington Post food critic who helped shape culinary journalism in the region.
What distinguishes Roth is not just her ability to promote a brand — it’s the way she connects people, elevates talent, and understands the full scope of the industry. “The restaurant world is built on more than chefs and owners,” she said. “It includes contractors, bookkeepers, distributors, valet attendants — entire ecosystems that deserve recognition.”
Her remarks also acknowledged those who paved the way, particularly trailblazing women in the field. She cited Ris Lacoste, Nora Pouillon, and Ann Yonkers as personal heroes who reshaped the landscape of food, sustainability, and leadership in Washington.
Roth also credited her team at LRA PR, the agency she founded, and her longtime partner and company president, Anthony Hesselius. “One of the best parts of the last 18 years has been working alongside someone whose passion for this industry runs just as deep,” she said.
What made this award particularly meaningful, she noted, was that it wasn’t decided by the public — but by her peers. “We’re usually the people in the background,” Roth said. “To be seen, acknowledged, and appreciated by this community — it means everything.”
Also honored at the event:
Virginia Ali and the Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation received the 2025 John G. Laytham Exceptional Leadership and Impact Award.
Ruth Gresser, chef and co-owner of Pizzeria Paradiso, was recognized with the 2025 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award.
