D.C. Foodies Fete Their Own At 33rd Annual RAMMY Awards; Industry Party Draws 2,000 To Convention Center

MOUNT VERNON SQUARE -- Filling the Washington Convention Center is no easy task, but this year's RAMMY Awards still quickly sold-out, with some 2,000 guests flocking to Mount Vernon Square on Sunday evening for the occasion.

Labeled the "#1 Food & Restaurant" event in the city by BIZBASH Magazine for four consecutive years, the District's tentpole celebration of all things restaurant-related is one of the most looked-forward to evenings each year by area chefs, restaurateurs, bartenders, sommeliers, cheese mongers, chocolatiers, and even dishwashers.

For one night, the army of food service professionals that keep D.C.'s explosive restaurant scene humming have a chance to celebrate their own, with the RAMMYs honoring nominees (and eventually winners) in 21 different award categories.

While the complete list of winners is available online, three of the most eagerly awaited contests are always Chef of the Year (Victor Albisu, Del Campo and Taco Bamba), Restaurateur of the Year (José Andrés and Rob Wilder, ThinkFoodGroup), and New Restaurant of the Year (Fabio and Maria Trabocchi's Fiola Mare on the Georgetown waterfront).

Despite the general level of levity and cheer that permeated last night's foodie fete, the occasion did touch on one solemn note in recognizing those professionals that passed away over the past year. Noted D.C. restaurateur Mark Kuller, a former tax attorney who turned his love of good food and drink into a second career thanks to the success of Proof, Estadio, Doi Moi, and 2 Birds, 1 Stone, received a particularly heartfelt tribute with remarks delivered by both his brother and son.

The RAMMY Awards are the brainchild of Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, which is a regional trade association that represents the District's restaurants and foodservice industry. First established in 1920, the group works to promote and sustain the growth and development of the industry while providing its members legislative and regulatory representation, marketing and small business support, programming, and events.

The food and fun is just an added benefit!