Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Reveals 2004 Restaurant Awards

Washington, DC- Washington's top chefs and restaurateurs gathered at Red Sage on March 1st, to hear WTOP's "Man About Town" Bob Madigan and industry leaders reveal the finalists for the 2004 Restaurant "RAMMY" Awards, presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). A panel of esteemed Washington food writers and hospitality industry educators selected this years nominees, representing some of the finest restaurants and food service professionals in the metropolitan Washington area.

"Our judges have selected a fantastic group of nominees, who have been instrumental in our city's evolution into a red-hot restaurant town," said Event Chair Jodi Lehr, of Santa Lucia Estate Coffee. "This year's Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award will be awarded to Washington Sports & Entertainment Chairman Abe Pollin for his immeasurable contributions to the revitalization of downtown Washington," said RAMW Executive Director Lynne Breaux. "No one has done more to transform our city into one of the nation's top sports, entertainment and restaurant towns than this visionary leader who brought the MCI Center to the District." All other winners will be announced at the 2004 Restaurant "RAMMY" Awards Gala on Sunday, June 6th at the Washington Hilton.

The public will decide the winners of three new award categories - Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year, Power Spot of the Year and Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year - along with the New Restaurant of the Year award. Votes can be cast through a special ballot appearing in the Washington Post Magazine on May 16th and online at www.ramw.org. Nominees include:
Neighborhood Gathering Place of the Year: Cafi Milano, Chef Geoff's, Clyde's of Reston, Dupont Grille, Lebanese Taverna, DC
Hottest Restaurant Bar Scene of the Year: Bistro Bis, Cafi St Ex, Chef Geoff's Downtown, DC Coast, Zola
Power Spot of the Year: Charlie Palmer Steak; The Bombay Club; The Caucus Room; The Palm, DC; The Prime Rib
New Restaurant of the Year: Ceiba, Charlie Palmer Steak, David Greggory, Matchbox, Nectar

The judges panel will determine the winners of the following award categories out of these finalists:
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Cashion's Eat Place, Galileo, Marcel's, Melrose, Vidalia
Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Andale, Jaleo, Johnny's Half Shell, Kaz Sushi Bistro, Majestic Cafe
Chef of the Year: Jose Andres, Cafi Atlantico, Jaleo & Zaytinya; Roberto Donna, Galileo; Brian McBride, Melrose; Fabio Trabocchi, Maestro; Robert Wiedmaier, Marcel's
Restaurant Employee of the Year: Jonathon Crane, Marcel's, Scott Guarino, Smith & Wollensky; Fidel Henandez, Embassy Suites; Olga Lopez, Chef Geoff's; Rod Wolfe, Finn & Porter
Pastry Chef of the Year: Peter Brett, Melrose; Didier Derouet, St Regis; Rita Garruba, Butterfield 9; David Guas, DC Coast; Chris Kujala, Kinkeads
Wine and Beverage Program of the Year: Cafi Atlantico, Kinkead's, Lansdowne Grill, Old Ebbitt Grill, Tuscarora Mill Restaurant
Restaurant Manager of the Year: Tricia Cominsky, Poste; Hal Hecht, The Oceanaire Seafood Room; David Moran, Old Ebbitt Grill; Geraldine Pain, La Chaumiere; Paco Pena, Taberna del Alabardero
Industry Ambassador of the Year: Abi-Najm Family, Lebanese Taverna; William & Pat Anton, Anton Airfood; Paolo Sacco, Ristorante Tosca; John Snedden, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Co.; Ron Yudd, Leadership Cares Foundation
Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Katsuya Fukushima, Cafi Atlantico; Jeff Gaetjen, Colvin Run; Jonathon Krinn, 2941; Jamie Leeds, 15 ria; Cliff Wharton, TenPenh
RAMW Associate Member of the Year: BB&T; Hisaoka Public Relations; Patterson/Smith Associates; Santa Lucia Estate Coffee; Washington Gas Energy Services

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