by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
The day after the RAMMY Awards might be the best or worst day to dine out…….depends on what kind of night your chef, waiter, bartender had. It might actually be a question of how much fun they had, since the annual gala for the Restaurant Association of Metro Washington is known to get a bit rowdy as celebrations for the winners flow freely into the night…and last night was no exception.
Robert Wiedmaier, Scott Drewno, Mike Isabella
Food, drinks, dancing and revelry are all staples of the evening and as the restaurant scene in DC continues to grow and flourish and there was a lot of celebration to be had. This was the 34th RAMMYs and the industry just keeps getting stronger.
Kathy Hollinger, President of RAMW was proud to celebrate another year of industry growth and told Hollywood on the Potomac: “We have so much in a smaller footprint that it gives diners plenty of options in terms of options.” Hollinger was also quick to remind that 90% of restaurants in the region are privately owned including a lot of small businesses and family businesses which lends to the personal community feeling, even as metro DC becomes more globally known for its foodie spirit, attracting accolades like the recent announcement of a forthcoming Michelin guide. Community was a theme for Hollinger as she opened up the awards ceremony and reminded the hundred of chefs, managers, waiters, bussers, bartenders and every other position connected to the hospitality industry—“You are the industry, you are all making it happen.”
Kathy Hollinger, President of RAMW
Rodrigo Contreras, Trade Commissioner of Chile who is now in their 10th year working with the RAMMYs to bring a taste of Chilean food to the guests, agreed with a greater community that has been growing in the city. “We have seen the progress in the city…taking more risks, so we see a space for our products,” he said emphasizing that DC diners don’t shy away from ethnic foods or regional dishes and drinks, like the Chilean Pisco, a drink option you may not have seen as prevalent on menus years ago.
Kathy Hollinger and Rodrigo Contreras, Trade Commissioner of Chile
Growth and community were sort of the buzzwords for the night in a room that usually sides more with jokes than heartfelt acceptance speeches; but this year gave a little of both. Robert Kinkead recieved the Duke Ziebert award and said that in more than 50 years in the business, he has seen “Incredible highs and soul crushing lows.” A number of chefs thanked their mothers for driving them toward the kitchen, the team from Bar Pilar treated the crowd to some annual kilts and Robert Wiedmaier, who won Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year had to thank his son Marcel, almost 18 years old now, for being the namesake of his restaurant.
Duke Ziebert Award Winner Bob Kinkead (center)
Big winners of the night were Restaurateur of the Year: Mike Isabella and chef of the year: Scott Drewno of The Source. Isabella beamed noting that 9 years later and finally getting a RAMMY. In just a few short years the chef has grown a small empire that includes Grafiatto and multiple iterations of Kapnos as well as other forthcoming concepts. “And to all the chefs in the pastry category, I’m looking for a pastry chef” he proclaimed from stage with a cheeky grin.
Restaurateur of the Year: Mike Isabella
Drewno who helms The Source spent his time on stage for a thoughtful and profound speech proving why he has been a leader in the culinary scene for years. “I started to think about why am I really in this industry? And we’ve always been kind of the outcasts. We’re the ones with all the tattoos. We drink too much. We smoke too much. We have green hair… But the one thing that’s beautiful about us is our acceptance…If you have passion, if you have heart, if you have desire, we welcome you on our team.” On one night that usually steers clear of politics, the chef reminded the crowd that not all political messages need be controversial.
Chef of the Year: Scott Drewno
Now cue the music and the food and plenty of drinks. Plenty. The lively crowd wanted to embrace the community that they all embody. As the team from 2 Birds 1 stone put it, “This whole industry is awesome. Everybody in bars is awesome.” Can’t argue with that.
Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier
