Latest news with #RAMW
Eater
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Rammy Awards Apologizes for Mixing Up Photos of Two Asian American Chefs
The 43rd annual Rammy Awards, better known as the Oscars of D.C.'s restaurant world, were somewhat overshadowed by one controversial mishap involving two talented Asian American chefs who were up for the same category. During Sunday night's black-tie soiree at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the newly crowned Pastry Chef of the Year, Alicia Wang (La' Shukran, Yellow, Albi), was incorrectly identified with a photo of fellow nominee Susan Bae (Moon Rabbit). The blatantly obvious error appeared in both the glossy program distributed to guests upon arrival and then aired live on a jumbotron for all to see during the ceremony. The Rammy Awards' host, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), waited a full 24 hours after the awards were announced to comment on the situation. 'We sincerely apologize for making this unfortunate mistake and the harm that it has caused,' per a lengthy statement posted to its Instagram account on Monday night. 'What happened unfairly took away from what should have been a well-deserved moment of joy for Chef Alicia.' The egregious snafu tied to one of the night's many categories was immediately noticed, discussed, and slammed by industry and media attendees during the event and into the following day. It remains unclear how the error was actually made and overlooked on not only one, but two, visible platforms. Wang was present at the Rammys but did not take the stage when her name was announced. Her co-workers accepted the award on her behalf, awkwardly acknowledging the misplaced photo of Bae displayed behind them on the screen. Bae, the two-time James Beard Award finalist for the nation's Best Pastry Chef, was not in attendance because she was in New England for a previously scheduled dinner. Neither nominee responded to Eater's request for comment regarding the incident, but Bae did allude to her frustration over the photo mix-up in a late-Sunday Instagram story, writing words like 'disappointed' and 'nonsense back in D.C.,' accompanied by a picture of a sugary fritter. Korean American chef Danny Lee (Anju, Chiko) quickly stood up for the understandably embarrassed nominees in an Instagram story, reposting a selfie with Wang to congratulate her on the Rammy win. Screenshot Some responses on RAMW's prepared comments suggested its delayed damage control missed the mark. 'Why not also make this apology a carousel with the correct awardee and photo,' with the hashtags 'simple' and 'restorative,' wrote @tcresidential. Per @juuudyhong: 'publicly confusing Asians on an institutional level in 2025?? Embarrassing.' Another account, @dcpiffle, took a more productive approach, proposing RAMW make a donation in their name to an organization that benefits Asian American and Pacific Islanders culinary creatives, such as Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate. RAMW, which hired a new public relations firm (Link Strategic Partners) to execute this year's Rammy Awards after working with a different one for some time, communicated its desire to make things right with Wang, Bae, and their respective teams. 'We are firmly committed to both an ongoing dialogue with them and a revision of process that will help ensure these mistakes do not occur again in the future,' reads the statement. Popular D.C. blogger Washingtonian Problems reposted RAMW's apology to a sea of responses that included: 'What the damn hell? How can they make such a glaring mistake?' It wasn't the only indelible dent in the event, however. A D.C. restaurant publicist drew Eater's attention to the misspelling of her late client's name in the memoriam portion of the program. Luis Lezama, an ordained priest and founder of downtown's decades-old Spanish stalwart Taberna del Alabardero, died in January at age 88; his last name was incorrectly written in the pamphlet and on the screen as 'Lezam.' Eater DC All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Here Are the 2025 Rammy Awards Winners
is an editor of Eater's Northeast region, covering D.C., Boston, Philly, and New York. The Rammy Awards afterparty went on until 11 p.m. at the top of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center with dancing and DJs. Daniel Swartz D.C.'s resident dining association announced the winners of the 43rd annual Rammy Awards on Sunday, August 3, providing a snapshot of the restaurant industry around the nation's capital. Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) doled out the awards — and created some controversy over a photo mishap involving two decorated pastry chefs — during a black-tie soiree at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Causa/Amazonia's Carlos Delgado, on the red carpet with his son, won the 2025 Rammy for Best Chef of the Year. Daniel Swartz Peruvian chef Carlos Delgado continues to rack up major accolades for his work at Shaw's Michelin-starred tasting room Causa and its tropical sibling Amazonia up top. Weeks after taking home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, he won the Rammy for D.C.'s Best Chef of the Year. Causa/Amazonia also took home the 2024 Rammy for Formal Fine Dining Restaurant. This year, that Rammy went to Shaw's polished vegetable pad Mita, which is also a member of D.C.'s Michelin-starred club. Category changes in recent years included a move from Pastry Chef of the Year to a more-expansive Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year and the addition of a Best Bar category. Five publicly voted categories (Fast Casual, Gathering Place, Bar, Brunch, and Sandwich Spot of the Year) were open to any eligible restaurant or food service operation in the area, regardless of RAMW membership. La' Shukran, the Union Market's Levantine hot spot from chef Michael Rafidi, took home two titles: Best New Restaurant and Pastry Chef (Alicia Wang). The latter award came with some drama attached to it. Wang's photo was mistakenly shown on the screen (and in the printed program) as that of fellow nominee and two-time James Beard Award finalist Susan Bae from Moon Rabbit. Wang – who also runs the pastry program at Albi and Yellow – did not go onstage, and her team accepted the award on her behalf. RAMW did not issue an official public apology regarding the much-talked-about snafu. Eater reached out to RAMW and Wang for comment. Bae, who was not in attendance, expressed her 'disappointment' regarding the Rammy photo blunder in an 11:20 p.m. Instagram story that has since been deleted. (In the post, she ate her feelings with a fritter from Back Door Donut in Martha's Vineyard, where she had a previously scheduled dinner.) Alicia Wang (center) took home the title of top pastry chef for her work at La' Shukran, Albi, and Yellow. Daniel Swartz Here's the full list of 2025 winners that took home a coveted Washington Monument-shaped glass trophy: Beer Program of the Year Atlas Brew Works Casual Restaurant of the Year 2Fifty Texas BBQ Chef of the Year Carlos Delgado – Causa/Amazonia Cocktail Program of the Year Jane Jane Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year MITA New Restaurant of the Year La' Shukran Pastry Chef or Baker of the Year Alicia Wang – Yellow/Albi/La' Shukran Restaurateur of the Year Seng Luangrath – Baan Mae, Padaek, and Thip Khao Rising Culinary Star of the Year Suresh Sundas – Daru Service Program of the Year El Cielo Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year Tail Up Goat Wine Program of the Year Era Wine Bar Manager of the Year Lorena Reyes – Founding Farmers Allied Member of the Year Keany Produce & Gourmet Employee of the Year Juan Sanchez – Cafe du Parc and Willard's Peacock Alley *Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year La Tejana *Favorite Gathering Place of the Year The Dew Drop Inn *Best Bar of the Year Tune Inn Restaurant and Bar *Best Brunch of the Year Le Diplomate *Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year Jetties Washington Nationals' 'Racing Presidents' (including Abraham Lincoln-turned-DJ) entertained guests well into the night. Tierney Plumb/Eater DC Nominees must be members of RAMW, and several categories have requirements regarding the length of time a restaurant has been operational; previous winners aren't eligible to claim the same category for five years after a win. An anonymous panel of judges in food and media ultimately chooses nominees and honorees across most food and beverage categories. RAMW also presented Honorary Milestone Awards to legacy restaurants around the DMV that have reached 'significant anniversaries of service': D.C. (25 years): Bistrot du Coin Chef Geoff's Bobby Van's Steakhouse Maryland (25 years): Caribbean Superior Virginia (50 years): Heidelberg Bakery Celebrity Delly RAMW previously presented several 2025 leadership awards at the Hamilton Hotel on July 1 (Ruth Gresser, Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award; Virginia Ali and The Ben's Chili Bowl Foundation, John G. Laytham Exceptional Leadership Award; and Linda Roth, Honorary Rammy Award). Ben's Chili Bowl's 91-year-old co-founder Virginia Ali sat in the front row. Daniel Swartz Eater DC All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Axios
15-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Tipped wage standoff leaves D.C. restaurants in limbo — what's next
D.C.'s tipped wage fight is firing up after the D.C. Council nixed a proposal to replace Initiative 82 with a new minimum wage for tipped workers — but the debate remains on the table. Why it matters: Independent businesses say they're in crisis, workers worry about their wages, and there's no clear consensus on what to do about I-82. Driving the news: The Council this week voted to uphold the law phasing out the lower "tipped minimum wage," rejecting a proposed repeal in the upcoming budget 7-5. Council member Janeese Lewis George cited the will of voters (74% approved I-82 in the 2022 election) and the need to protect workers counting on higher pay. Yes, but: Another proposal to replace I-82 could materialize by the council's second, final budget vote on July 28. Mayor Muriel Bowser — who's pushed for a repeal — said she's "optimistic" about reaching a final budget that "lives up to our DC values," but noted "there are issues our city needs the Council to move faster on." First in line: "predictability in the restaurant industry." Catch up quick: I-82 requires businesses to gradually pay tipped staff like servers and bartenders more, regardless of tips. The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and some tipped workers have joined Bowser in calling for a repeal, citing higher costs and falling tips as businesses add service fees. Plus, record restaurant closures last year — and nearly 60 so far this year, per RAMW, which projects over 100 by 2026. Meanwhile, proponents argue I-82 has led to higher, more consistent and equitable wages — especially for workers in lower positions who might not speak English or have their voices heard. The big picture: Earlier this summer, the D.C. Council paused the next wage bump — from $10 to $12/hour — after RAMW and Bowser warned it could push more small restaurants to close. Council Chair Phil Mendelson presented a "compromise" a day before Monday's 2026 budget vote: Repeal I-82, set a new $8 base wage for tipped staff, and create a $20/hour "super minimum wage" for anyone who doesn't earn that in tips. The plan would have also capped restaurant service fees at 10% to encourage tipping. Reality check: I-82 isn't solely responsible for tough operating conditions — there's also pandemic repercussions, inflation, high rents and mass DMV layoffs. But, anti-I-82 groups argue, wage law is one of the few things the city can control. Plus, they argue, tipped workers still make D.C.'s $17.95/hr minimum wage if they don't get enough in tips. Employers are legally required to make it up.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump's Crackdown On Undocumented Immigrants Hits Washington Restaurants
United States: When armed immigration agents made a surprise visit earlier this month to Pupatella, a trendy pizzeria in the US capital's Dupont neighborhood, they may not have made any arrests, but they delivered a clear message. The show of force, part of an "enhanced operation" by President Donald Trump's hardline administration, has had ripple effects through an industry reliant on immigrant labor, owners and others in the sector say. The agents asked to see employment eligibility forms known as I-9s, said Natasha Neely, vice president of Pupatella, which has several locations in the Washington area. "They did not have a warrant, and they did not have any form of paperwork, so they were turned away," she told AFP. A few hours later, agents showed up at Pupatella's Capitol Hill location, this time with a "notice of inspection," Neely said. The manager referred them to the restaurant's corporate office. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said it had arrested 189 undocumented migrants after handing out 187 such notices in the Washington area between May 6 and May 9. In a press release, it described the activity as an "enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on criminal alien offenders." While the inspection notices are not unusual, Neely said, they are normally delivered by e-mail due to their administrative nature. "We have never experienced anything like this," she said, expressing confusion about why the restaurant had been targeted. Crackdown fear Trump has made deporting undocumented immigrants a key priority for his second term, after successfully campaigning against an alleged "invasion" by criminals. So far, his administration has deported tens of thousands of migrants, with US courts hearing cases on allegations that the government violated due process in certain cases. Undocumented migrants are "the backbone of our industry. From top to bottom," Shawn Townsend, president of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), told AFP. In addition to the restaurant industry, immigrant labor plays a crucial role in many sectors of the economy, including agriculture and construction. Before Trump's inauguration in January, RAMW knew immigration enforcement "was going to be a priority of the incoming administration, and so we held our first I-9 training workshop," said Townsend. One restaurant owner, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he felt threatened when immigration agents recently visited his establishment. "I'm going to see what the repercussions of that are. Basically, I don't know whether they're going to fine me forever or try to put me in jail," he said. Labor impacts According to a survey by employment law firm Littler Mendelson, 58 percent of executives said they were concerned Trump's anti-immigration policies would create labor shortages. The manufacturing and hospitality sectors were the most concerned. Since his restaurant was visited, the owner who requested anonymity said "anyone who had any questions about their eligibility to work has left." "They were advised by advocates... to basically just lay low, not come into work." Townsend said that the "political climate" and economic challenges facing small businesses were likely combining to raise anxiety among restaurant workers. Increased immigration enforcement, as during Trump's first term in office, "creates a scenario where (staff) may not return to work," he said. Neely said employees at Pupatella were startled by the surprise ICE visit, but that the restaurant was taking steps to address the situation. "We've made sure all of the managers know what the restaurants' rights are and what each team member's rights are," she said. Nevertheless, the raids do have a chilling effect. "Let's be honest, if anyone shows up at any location in a federal uniform with guns and vests... that's unnerving."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's immigration crackdown targets Washington restaurants
When armed immigration agents made a surprise visit earlier this month to Pupatella, a trendy pizzeria in the US capital's Dupont neighborhood, they may not have made any arrests, but they delivered a clear message. The show of force, part of an "enhanced operation" by President Donald Trump's hardline administration, has had ripple effects through an industry reliant on immigrant labor, owners and others in the sector say. The agents asked to see employment eligibility forms known as I-9s, said Natasha Neely, vice president of Pupatella, which has several locations in the Washington area. "They did not have a warrant, and they did not have any form of paperwork, so they were turned away," she told AFP. A few hours later, agents showed up at Pupatella's Capitol Hill location, this time with a "notice of inspection," Neely said. The manager referred them to the restaurant's corporate office. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said it had arrested 189 undocumented migrants after handing out 187 such notices in the Washington area between May 6 and May 9. In a press release, it described the activity as an "enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on criminal alien offenders." While the inspection notices are not unusual, Neely said, they are normally delivered by e-mail due to their administrative nature. "We have never experienced anything like this," she said, expressing confusion about why the restaurant had been targeted. - Crackdown fear - Trump has made deporting undocumented immigrants a key priority for his second term, after successfully campaigning against an alleged "invasion" by criminals. So far, his administration has deported tens of thousands of migrants, with US courts hearing cases on allegations that the government violated due process in certain cases. Undocumented migrants are "the backbone of our industry. From top to bottom," Shawn Townsend, president of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), told AFP. In addition to the restaurant industry, immigrant labor plays a crucial role in many sectors of the economy, including agriculture and construction. Before Trump's inauguration in January, RAMW knew immigration enforcement "was going to be a priority of the incoming administration, and so we held our first I-9 training workshop," said Townsend. One restaurant owner, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he felt threatened when immigration agents recently visited his establishment. "I'm going to see what the repercussions of that are. Basically, I don't know whether they're going to fine me forever or try to put me in jail," he said. - Labor impacts - According to a survey by employment law firm Littler Mendelson, 58 percent of executives said they were concerned Trump's anti-immigration policies would create labor shortages. The manufacturing and hospitality sectors were the most concerned. Since his restaurant was visited, the owner who requested anonymity said "anyone who had any questions about their eligibility to work has left." "They were advised by advocates... to basically just lay low, not come into work." Townsend said that the "political climate" and economic challenges facing small businesses were likely combining to raise anxiety among restaurant workers. Increased immigration enforcement, as during Trump's first term in office, "creates a scenario where (staff) may not return to work," he said. Neely said employees at Pupatella were startled by the surprise ICE visit, but that the restaurant was taking steps to address the situation. "We've made sure all of the managers know what the restaurants' rights are and what each team member's rights are," she said. Nevertheless, the raids do have a chilling effect. "Let's be honest, if anyone shows up at any location in a federal uniform with guns and vests... that's unnerving." vla/ev/des/aha
