NoVA Restaurant Manager Wins As 2026 RAMMY Awards Honor Region's Best: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — The Washington region's restaurant industry celebrated its top chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals Monday night as the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) presented the 44th Annual RAMMY Awards during a gala at Arena Stage in Southwest Washington.

Often considered the Washington area's equivalent of the James Beard Awards, the RAMMYs recognize excellence across the region's restaurant and foodservice industry in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. A RAMMY is considered one of the hospitality industry's highest regional honors.

This year's ceremony marked the first time the awards were held at Arena Stage, with a post-awards celebration at The Anthem on The Wharf, according to the Washington Business Journal. Winners were selected following a competition that began with 190 semifinalists announced in March before being narrowed to 95 finalists.

Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss of The Popal Group earned Chef of the Year honors after being finalists in the category a year ago, according The Popal Group operates Lutèce, Pascual and Lapis in Washington, D.C., along with Lapop and Maison Bar à Vins.

Regional Standouts Recognized

Among the night's biggest winners, Albi was named Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year, adding another accolade for chef-owner Michael Rafidi, while Perry's won Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year. The Occidental captured New Restaurant of the Year honors, according to WBJ.

A new category debuted this year, recognizing Content Creator of the Year. The inaugural award went to Tessa Alimahmoodi and Jason Fisher, creators of the DCFoodGod social media accounts.

Northern Virginia was represented among the winners by Alexandria's Bastille Brasserie & Bar, where Juan Ramirez was recognized as Manager of the Year.

The RAMMY Awards are presented annually by RAMW to recognize outstanding achievement throughout the Washington metropolitan area's restaurant industry. In addition to judged categories, several fan-favorite awards are determined through public voting, according to the The awards also support the RAMW Educated Eats Foundation, which provides workforce development and education initiatives for the hospitality industry.

2026 RAMMY Award Winners

• Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year: Albi
• New Restaurant of the Year: The Occidental
• Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year: Perry's
• Chef of the Year: Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, The Popal Group
• Restaurateur of the Year: Fernando González, 2Fifty Texas BBQ
• Wine Program of the Year: Fiola
• Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year: Andy's Pizza
• Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year: Rose Nguyen, Rose Ave Bakery
• Service Program of the Year: Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
• Manager of the Year: Juan Ramirez, Bastille Brasserie & Bar (Alexandria)
• Employee of the Year: Jose Luis Salgado, Zinnia
• Beer Program of the Year: Pizzeria Paradiso
• Rising Culinary Star of the Year: Martel Stone, Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi
• Cocktail Program of the Year: Amazonia
• Casual Restaurant of the Year: Tsehay Ethiopian
• Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year (public vote): Joia Burger
• Favorite Gathering Place of the Year (public vote): Old Ebbitt Grill
• Best Brunch of the Year (public vote): Unconventional Diner
• Best Bar of the Year (public vote): Service Bar
• Content Creator of the Year (public vote): DCFoodGod (Tessa Alimahmoodi and Jason Fisher)