RAMW Announces 2024 RAMMY Honors Recipients

Kathy E. Hollinger to receive the 2024 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award while six DMV dining destinations are recognized with Honorary Milestone Awards at inaugural celebratory event

Washington, DC (April 24, 2024)—Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) today announced Greater Washington Partnership (the Partnership) CEO Kathy E. Hollinger as the 2024 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award recipient. Hollinger leads the Partnership, a first-of-its-kind alliance, uniting leading employers across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, to collaborate in building a vibrant, economically competitive, and prosperous place to live, work, and build a business.

Each year, RAMW’s Executive Committee selects the recipient of the award which recognizes an individual whose hard work and outstanding initiative has increased the profile and success of the metropolitan Washington foodservice community and dining landscape.

RAMW President and CEO Shawn Townsend said, “Kathy’s unwavering dedication and innovative leadership has significantly contributed to the dining scene in the region. Her efforts have elevated the region’s culinary reputation and has inspired a new generation of restaurateurs and chefs to dream big. This award recognizes her profound impact on our industry and her commitment to excellence which continues to set a high standard for all of us.”

Prior to joining the Partnership, Hollinger was President & CEO of RAMW and head of RAMW’s Educated Eats Foundation, where she represented the interests of thousands of restaurants and the foodservice industry for more than a decade. She has been widely recognized for her powerful leadership through years of dramatic, inclusive expansion. More recently, though, her fierce advocacy was evident through the COVID-19 pandemic in her role as co-chair of the hospitality arm of the ReOpen DC Task Force. The accolades she received for her extraordinary work in that role, and others, during the pandemic, included the region’s Power List in 2021-2024 and Washington Business Journal’s COVID-19 Response CEO Leader of the Year. She was honored as the 2021 Washington Woman of Excellence by the Honorable DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Person of the Year by the DowntownDC BID.

Hollinger said, “It was an absolute honor to present this esteemed award to trailblazing advocates and outstanding individuals over the years, and I gathered much guidance and inspiration from each honoree. Today, I appreciate the full circle moment and am humbled to receive this recognition from an industry I love and admire.”

RAMW also announced today its 2024 Honorary Milestone Award recipients, commemorating long-standing local restaurants and RAMW members who have been in business for over 25 years. The honorary RAMMY award is bestowed upon restaurants from casual to formal including some of the region’s most celebrated dining institutions. DC honorees include The Dubliner, recognizing 50 years as a true Irish landmark, Equinox on 19th, serving generations of Washingtonians for 25 years, KAZ Sushi Bistro, providing an iconic Japanese getaway for 25 years, and Marcel’s, celebrating 25 years of serving locals and visitors in the West End. Maryland honorees include Black’s Bar & Kitchen, bringing 25 years of innovative seafood fare to Bethesda, and Passage to India, serving authentic Indian fare for 25 years.

The 2024 Joan Hisoaka Allied Member of the Year Finalists will be honored at the inaugural event as well. Presented to an associate member who best exemplifies commitment to and support of RAMW, this year’s nominees are the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Ecolab, Harmony Group, Inc., Keany Produce & Gourmet, and Preferred Insurance Services, Inc. 

A special reception event, The RAMMYS Honors, recognizing Kathy E. Hollinger, the Honorary Milestone Award recipients, and the 2024 Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year Finalists will take place on Tuesday, June 18, at the historic Watergate Hotel hosted by author, seasoned democratic strategist and co-host of MSNBC’s The Weekend, Symone Sanders Townsend. The 42nd Annual RAMMY Awards Gala will take place on Sunday, July 21, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. 

2024 RAMMYS sponsors include Events DC, Amazon, National Landing Business Improvement District, NBC Washington/Telemundo 44, JP Morgan Chase, Resy, DoorDash, Republic National Distributing Co., Club Glow, Stratus Firm, Design Foundry, Studiio Box, Pepco, an Exelon Company,  Destination DC, Washington Gas, DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, DC Office of Cable, Television, Film, Movies, and Entertainment, Saval Foodservice, Congressional Seafood, and many industry supporters.

The RAMMYS
Presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), The RAMMY Awards Gala honors the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region’s restaurants and foodservice community. Named the #1 Food & Restaurant event by BIZBASH Magazine since 2009, The RAMMYS celebrate one of metropolitan Washington’s greatest assets: Its restaurants. For more information regarding the June reception or the July RAMMY Awards, tickets, and how to support the program, visit TheRAMMYS.org.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)
The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is the regional trade association representing restaurants and the foodservice industry in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Established in 1920, RAMW is an advocate, resource and community for its members. The Association 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. RAMW strives to serve its members with professionalism and integrity, and provide them the training, education and support they need to grow a successful business.

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