Rammy Restaurants Awards To "rock" Washington In 2006

It could be said that 2005 was "the year of the restaurant" with the Washington metropolitan area garnering national acclaim for its diverse eateries, ranging from neighborhood bistros to fine dining establishments. The success of the area's restaurants will be celebrated at this year's RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala, which has been set for Sunday evening, June 25th at the Marriott Wardman Park.

"The theme this year is "Restaurants Rock," said Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) President Lynne Breaux. "This year's gala will draw attention to the success of our area restaurants in spurring economic development, raising the profile of the nation's capital and all the good works that restaurateurs do throughout the year." She added that restaurants serve as the nation's largest employer, second only to the federal government.

"The theme is also fitting because restaurants serve as the "rock" of the community -- acting as a home away from home for guests, and a gathering place during good times as well as trying times," added Gala Chair Gus DiMillo of Passion Food Hospitality, the parent company of Acadiana, Ceiba, DC Coast, and TenPenh.

Restaurant nominations for the RAMMY Awards are currently being accepted by RAMW until Tuesday, January 17. A panel of esteemed judges, including journalist and hospitality industry educators, will review the nominations and have the challenging task of choosing only five finalists for each category. Nominees will be announced in March.

Judges will determine the winners in the following categories: New Restaurant of the Year; Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year; Informal Dining Restaurant of the Year; Chef of the Year; Pastry Chef of the Year; Wine and Beverage Program of the Year; Rising Culinary Star of the Year, Restaurant Employee of the Year and Restaurant Manager of the Year. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington will determine the recipient of the prestigious Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award and RAMW Associate Member of the Year Award.

In addition, the public will be able to choose the winners for Hottest Bar Scene of the Year, Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year, Power Spot of the Year, and Favorite Restaurant of the Year by casting a vote through a special RAMMY Awards ballot that will be featured in a supplement in The Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, May 21st, as well as online at www.ramw.org.

The metro area's top chefs and restaurateurs will be honored at the glamorous RAMMY Restaurant Awards Gala. Individual tickets for the gala are priced at $200 for RAMW members and $250 for non-RAMW members. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting RAMW at 202-331-5990 or by visiting www.ramw.org. Partial proceeds will help displaced restaurant workers who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina through The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, administered by the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Education Foundation, which helps area high school students develop viable careers in the restaurant/hospitality business and provides post-secondary school hospitality scholarships.

Established in 1920, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's vision is to unite restaurateurs and food service industry professionals of the Washington area. Today, RAMW has more than 500 members, and is the voice of establishments ranging from casual eateries to internationally-acclaimed fine dining restaurants.

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