Victor Albisu (right) celebrates his Chef of the Year RAMMY Award with his wife Suzanne and Mike Isabella. (Photo by Josh Novikoff)

The 2015 RAMMY Award winners were announced and celebrated last evening at a Convention Center gala.

With awards handed out by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington in 21 categories, Victor Albisu was the man on stage at the end of the night, taking home the coveted chef of the year award for his cooking at Del Campo and Taco Bamba. Agnes Chin, who moved from the closed Palena to Grill Room at the Capella Hotel, was named pastry chef of the year with George Pagonis, capping off his Top Chef run, as rising culinary star. Top billing for fine dining went to The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, and Fiola Mare was designated the best new restaurant in the city. Of course, it must be noted that only restaurants that are RAMW members can be nominated, and previous award winners can’t be nominated again for five years.

José Andrés and his business partner Rob Wilder, the duo that makes up ThinkFoodGroup, were designated restaurateur of the year, albeit the only awardees not present to accept their trophy in person. They missed out on the post-ceremony smorgasbord put together by the usual food trade boards of Argentina, Australia, Chile, and Peru trying to curry favor with Washington’s restaurant industry.

The ceremony took on a touching note this year as it paused to pay tribute to the life of Mark Kuller, the man behind Proof, Estadio, and Doi Moi who died of cancer in October.

The full list of the 2015 winners:

Joan Hisaoka Allied Member of the Year: EagleBank

Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award: Herbert Miller, Western Development Corporation, Chairman & CEO

Restaurant Employee of the Year: Evan Labb, Evening Star Cafe

Restaurant Manager of the Year: Joseph Cerione, Blue Duck Tavern

Rising Culinary Star of the Year: George Pagonis, Kapnos

Service Program of the Year: Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier

Regional Food and Beverage Producer of the Year: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company

Favorite Gathering Place: Bar Pilar

Upscale Casual Brunch: Le Diplomate

Everyday Casual Brunch: The Daily Dish

Favorite Fast Bites: Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza

Upscale Casual Restaurant: Mintwood Place

Everyday Casual Restaurant: DGS Delicatessen

Beer Program of the Year: Pizzeria Paradiso, Georgetown

Cocktail Program of the Year: Bourbon Steak

Wine Program of the Year: Iron Gate

Pastry Chef of the Year: Agnes Chin, The Grill Room

Formal Fine Dining Restaurant: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm

New Restaurant of the Year: Fiola Mare

Restaurateur of the Year: José Andrés and Rob Wilder, ThinkFoodGroup

Chef of the Year: Victor Albisu, Del Campo and Taco Bamba