Voting is open March 9-30 2016 for the statewide Stars of the Industry Awards celebrating Maryland’s most elite restaurants and hospitality professionals. The dining public can vote for their favorites online at marylandrestaurants.com/awards or on Facebook, facebook.com/marylandrestaurants.
Winners will be announced on May 1, 2016 at the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Stars of the Industry Awards Gala – Moonlight In Morocco. Each winner will get statewide bragging rights and the opportunity to display their 2016 award-winning logo on their website, menus and other promotional materials. The following restaurants and restaurateurs have been nominated as the top finalists in each category:
Chef of the Year, presented by Oracle:
1. Chris Amendola – Waterfront Kitchen
2. Stephanie Wilson – Vintage
3. Michel Tersiguel – Tersiguel’s
4. Raynold Mendizabal – Urban Butcher
5. Ted Stelzenmuller – Jack’s Bistro
Craft Brew Program of the Year, presented by Evolution Craft Brewing Company:
1. The White Oak Tavern – Ellicott City
2. Harrington’s Pub & Kitchen – National Harbor
3. Alewife – Baltimore
4. Pizza Tugos Taproom – Ocean City
5. Oscar’s Alehouse – Eldersburg
Favorite New Restaurant:
1. Ananda – Fulton
2. Ristorante Firenze – Reisterstown
3. Preserve – Annapolis
4. Pistarro’s Ristorante – Frederick
5. Encantada – Baltimore
Favorite Restaurant:
1. Founding Farmers – Potomac
2. Applebee’s – Statewide
3. Andy Nelson’s Barbecue – Cockeysville
4. Lib’s Grill – Perry Hall
5. My Thai – Baltimore
Favorite Bar or Tavern:
1. Buffalo Wild Wings – Statewide
2. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood – Baltimore
3. River Hill Sports Grille – Clarksville
4. Frank and Nic’s West End Grille – Baltimore
5. Bull on the Beach – Ocean City
Heart of the Industry, presented by CohnReznick:
1. Brendan McCool (Manager) – Victoria Gastro Pub
2. Alex Osterhoudt (GM) – Rams Head Tavern
3. Ross Adams (Busser & Food Runner) – AIDA Bistro
Wine and Beverage Program of the Year:
1. Liquid Assets Wine & Martini Bar – Ocean City
2. Cunningham’s – Towson
3. Mrs. K’s Restaurant & Barrel Bar – Silver Spring
4. VIN 909 Winecafe – Annapolis
5. Mutiny Pirate Bar – Glen Burnie
Members Only Categories:
Allied Member of the Year:
1. Congressional Seafood – Tim Sughrue
2. Ecolab – Bryan Kight
3. CohnReznick – Greg Remeikis
4. Coastal Sunbelt Produce – John Corso
5. FoodBridge – Kosmas “Tommie” Koukoulis
Restaurateur of the Year, presented by the Maryland Restaurant & Hospitality Self Insurance Fund:
1. James King – Blackwall Hitch
2. John Liberatore – Liberatore’s Ristorante & Catering
3. Joe Hospital – Dogfish Head Alehouse
4. David Dopkin – Miss Shirley’s Café & The Classic Catering People
5. Kyle Algaze – Iron Rooster
Brice & Shirley Phillips Lifetime Industry Achievement Award:
Rob Beall – Ledo Pizza Systems
The Otto Schellhase Award, Recognizing Service & Dedication to RAM:
Bob Garner – Glory Days Grill
Hospitality Hall of Honor:
1. Maggie’s – Westminster
2. Western Sizzlin Restaurant – Cumberland
3. TJ’s of Calverton Restaurant – Beltsville
4. Shenanigan’s Irish Pub & Grille – Ocean City
5. Rusty Scupper – Baltimore
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