Here Are the 2019 Rammy Awards Finalists

Washington’s local dining association on Monday announced the finalists for its annual Rammy Awards, providing a snapshot of the state of the restaurant industry in D.C.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) will announce the winners during a black tie event on Sunday, June 30, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Here’s a look at last year’s winners.

All nominees must be members of RAMW. Several categories have requirements regarding the length of time a restaurant has been operational, and previous winners aren’t eligible to claim the same category for five years after a win. A panel of judges appointed by the RAMW president ultimately decides who wins. Public voting will decide four categories: Favorite Gathering Place of the Year, Upscale Brunch of the Year, Casual Brunch of the Year, and Favorite Fast Bites of the Year. More information on the awards process can be found here.

And now, this year’s nominees:

New Restaurant of the Year

• Chloe
• Kaliwa
• Poca Madre
• Spoken English
• St. Anselm

Chef of the Year

• Kyle Bailey, The Salt Line
• David Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
• Marjorie Meek-Bradley, St. Anselm
• Russell Smith, The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Nicholas Stefanelli, Masseria, Officina

Rising Culinary Star of the Year

• Javier Fernandez, Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly
• Adam Howard, Blue Duck Tavern
• John MacPherson, Three Blacksmiths
• Daniela Moreira, Call Your Mother Deli, Timber Pizza Company
• Kwame Onwuachi, Kith and Kin

Cocktail Program of the Year

• barmini by JoséAndrés
• Bresca
• Daikaya
• Petworth Citizen and Reading Room
• Royal

Beer Program of the Year

• B Side
• Caboose Tavern
• Pizzeria Paradiso – Dupont
• Republic
• Roofers Union

Wine Program of the Year

• Cork Wine Bar and Market
• Le Diplomate
• Maxwell Park
• minibar by JoséAndrés
• Trummer’s On Main

Favorite Gathering Place of the Year

• Duke’s Counter
• Open Road
• Perry’s
• Quarry House Tavern
• Vinoteca

Upscale Brunch of the Year

• Estadio
• Seasons
• The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Unconventional Diner

Casual Brunch of the Year

• Brookland’s Finest Bar & Kitchen
• Casolare Ristorante & Bar
• Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen
• Maketto
• The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse

Favorite Fast Bites of the Year

• CHIKO
• Little Red Fox
• Rasa
• Shouk
• Taco Bamba Taqueria

Employee of the Year

• Oscar Ardon, Doi Moi
• Maria Contreras, Jaleo Crystal City
• Valentine King, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen
• Eloy Juarez Alvarez, Mintwood Place
• Fred Uku, The Red Hen

Manager of the Year

• Dave Delaplaine, Roofers Union
• Sabrine Marques, PassionFish Bethesda
• Donna Seal, Oceanaire
• Richard Stewart, iRicchi Ristorante
• Paris Twyman, Founding Farmers Tysons

Service Program of the Year

• Ambar – Clarendon
• Carlyle Grand Cafe
• Iron Gate
• Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak, & Stone Crab
• The Riggsby

Casual Restaurant of the Year

• All Purpose – Shaw
• Bantam King
• Bindaas – Cleveland Park
• Maketto
• Royal

Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year

• Centrolina
• Iron Gate
• Momofuku CCDC
• Sally’s Middle Name
• Sushi Taro

Pastry Chef of the Year

• Fabrice Bendano, Le Diplomate
• Ana Deshaies, Unconventional Diner
• Pichet Ong, Brothers and Sisters, Spoken English
• Paola Velez, Iron Gate
• Meagan Tighe, Trummer’s On Main

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

• Blue Duck Tavern
• Bourbon Steak
• Rasika
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck
• Trummer’s On Main

Restaurateur of the Year

• Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Taco Bamba Taqueria
• Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks, Bar Charley, El Chucho, Little Coco’s, Quarry House Tavern, Slash Run
• Michael Friedman, Mike O’Malley, Colin McDonough, Gareth Croke, All Purpose Restaurants
• Rose Previte, Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen, Maydan
• Daisuke Utagawa, Katsuya Fukushima, and Yama Jewayni, Daikaya Group

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year

• Coastal Sunbelt Produce
• Congressional Seafood Co.
• Saval Foodservice
• TriMark Adams-Burch
• The Veritas Law Firm

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year

• Arcadia Farm
• Atlas Brew Works
• Ayrshire Farm
• Ivy City Smokehouse
• Logan Sausage Co.