An anxious and boisterous crowd of more than 400 members of Washington’s restaurant community and press filled the ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Washington last night for the announcement of the finalists for the 2009 Rammy industry awards, produced by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. This year’s Rammy gala is scheduled for June 7 at the Omni Shoreham.
Cutting the dessert course was the suggestion from Jeff Tunks, chef and co-owner of the Passion Food Hospitality restaurants, including DC Coast and finalist PassionFish. “So many times, people leave before it’s served, anyway.” To encourage more private dining business in a rough economy, he added that in some cases, his restaurants waive room fees and let guests bring their own special occasion cakes.
Family-style service was the suggestion from Cesare Lanfranconi of restaurant Spezie. “With family style, there is less labor cost,” said the chef. “Let’s say you ask the restaurant to serve the appetizer on platters instead of plating, you might save $3 to $6 per person.”
Rammy finalists and winners are chosen by the public and a panel of judges from the restaurant community and culinary schools.
