Cuisine de Carnevale announced as this year’s award show theme.
By Nevin Martell
Carnevale de Cuisine is the theme for the 2011 RAMMYS. Image by Kyle Samperton.
Get ready to party, because the carnevale is coming to the District this summer. The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) has announced that the theme for the 29th annual RAMMY Awards is Cuisine de Carnevale, inspired by the kaleidoscopic variety of global culinary traditions found in the District. The nominations for this year’s awards will be announced in March and the ceremony will take place on June 26th at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
RAMMYS are given out in 16 categories, such as Chef, Rising Culinary Star, Beverage/Mixology Program New Restaurant, Power Spot and Hottest Bar Scene of the Year. “This is the Oscars of the food industry,” says Candice Siegel, RAMW’s communications director. “It’s a big, gold stamp for winners. There are restaurateurs and chefs who will say, ‘I’m going to die if I don’t win a RAMMY.’ People get very competitive.” 2010’s big winners included Birch & Barley, Bourbon Steak, 2941 and the Source’s chef, Scott Drewno. Who knows who will take home 2011’s crystal obelisk prize statues, but one thing is for sure: it’s going to the most appetizing awards show of the year.
