D.C.’s dining association announced the 2024 RAMMY award winners Sunday night at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at a black-tie soiree with hundreds of guests. The annual award “honors excellence in the restaurant and food service industry in Washington D.C.”
The winners are chosen by an anonymous panel, with the exception of a few publicly voted categories. Think of it like a local James Beard award.
One of the most notable awards of the night – the Rising Culinary Star of the Year award – went to Masako Morishita of Perry’s. When we asked her about the win, she said she saw it as a “recognition of all the Japanese moms who have cooked for their families for centuries with love,” and that she hopes it brings greater attention to “Japanese comfort food.”
The RAMMY Awards. (Courtesy of RAMW)
Angel Barreto was named Chef of the Year for his work at the modern Korean restaurant Anju, after being nominated for two James Beard awards recently.
Best New Restaurant of the Year went to the new American comfort food restaurant Ellie Bird in Falls Church. Meanwhile, one of my favorites, Silver Lyan, won Best Cocktail Program of the year.
Besides the required schmoozing of D.C. chefs, influencers, and politicians dressed in their finest, the awards are a rare opportunity to recognize restaurant workers and staff in an otherwise tough industry. More than one winner had tears in their eyes as they walked on stage to thank their colleagues and families.
Mayor Bowser makes remarks before the awards ceremony. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Here’s the full list of the 2024 RAMMY Award winners (*denotes publicly voted category):
New Restaurant of the Year: Ellie Bird (Falls Church)
Cocktail Program of the Year: Silver Lyan (Penn Quarter)
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Masako Morishita, Perry's (Adams Morgan)
Beer Program of the year: Zinnia (Silver Spring)
Wine Program of the Year: Apéro (Georgetown)
*Favorite Gathering Place: Mi Vida (Multiple D.C. locations)
*Best Brunch: Duke's Counter (Woodley Park)
*Best Bar: Bar Chinois (Mount Vernon Triangle)
*Favorite Fast Bites: Fava Pot (Falls Church/Dupont Circle)
*Hottest Sandwich Spot: Colada Shop (Multiple locations)
Employee of the Year: Michael Wyatt, Annabelle Restaurant (Kalorama)
Manager of the Year: Victoria Gradia, Knead Hospitality + Design
Service Program of the Year: Reveler's Hour (Adams Morgan)
Casual Restaurant of the Year: La Famosa (Navy Yard)
Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Lutéce (Georgetown)
Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: Rochelle Cooper, The Duck & The Peach (Capitol Hill)
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Causa | Amazonia (Blagden Alley)
Chef of the Year: Angel Barreto, Anju (Dupont)
Restaurateur of the Year: Long Shot Hospitality (Dauphine's, The Salt Line, Ometeo)
