2026 Annual RAM Gala Awards

Join the party as we celebrate the restaurant and foodservice industry like never before! More than 600 restaurant employees, chefs, owners, and industry supporters will enjoy a variety of food stations, an open bar, live music, industry awards, and more.
Suggested Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

Band performing live at the Gala

John Fager among a group a people at the Gala

Chef Zack Mills receiving the Chef of the Year award

To access the photo booth gallery from 2025, click here.

Purchase Tickets and Sponsorship

While Gala is RAM's largest and most exciting annual event, space is limited, and tickets will sell out! All sponsorships include a branded table reserved specifically for your guests.  We also have individual tickets available, along with other opportunities for logo placement and recognition.  Got a product you'd like to feature?  Be sure to check out our Product Sponsor option as well!   

We look forward to seeing you all there!

PLEASE NOTE: Our system will ask you for all names associated with your table. Please enter TBD for any guests whom are not confirmed yet. 

Please email Cori at cgrafer@marylandrestaurants.com with any questions and final attendee lists.

Purchase Your Tickets Today!

2026 Award Nominations

Each year, the Restaurant Association of Maryland presents annual awards for the following FOH and BOH positions: Chef of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year, Server of the Year, and Bartender of the Year. These awards are for those who relentlessly prove their skills and dedication to the industry while demonstrating top-notch leadership qualities. After public nominations, RAM selects five (5) finalists from each category for a public vote. You select the winners.

Vote Today!

2026 Chef of the Year Finalists

Voting begins March 1st

 

Chef Bryan Boessel
One Eleven Main
Bel Air

Chef Julian Marucci
Tagliata
​Baltimore

Chef Ken Zellers
Caroline's
Denton

Chef Mykola Yudin
Ruta
Bethesda

Chef Cia Carter
Miss Carters
Baltimore


2026 Manager of the Year Finalists

Voting begins March 1st

 

Asia Avena
Natalie's Seafood Kitchen
Bel Air

Michael Sahady
Lee's Landing Dock Bar
Port Deposit

Sydney Baumann
Brenda's Pizzeria
Oakland

Will Flemmings
Ava's
St. Michael’s

Dominic Canale
Mother’s Cantina
Ocean City


2026 Server of the Year Finalists

Voting begins March 1st

 

Jordan Schneider
Chart House Prime
Annapolis

Mateo Sbodio
Red Brick Station
Nottingham

Kylie Beer
Blackwall Barn and Lodge
Columbia

Sawyer Wiese
Old Line Kitchen
Columbia

Jacquelyn Ramsey
Silo Falls
Brookeville


2026 Bartender of the Year Finalists

Voting begins March 1st

Jeremy Reed
Ranazul
Columbia

Monte Gary
Rye Street Tavern
Baltimore

Rachel Allen

Rachel Allen
Liberatore's

William Perez

William Perez
Sports & Social
Bethesda

Derrick DuVall
Pawn Run
Deep Creek


2026 RAM Restaurateur of the Year

Dan Wecker, Elkridge Furnace Inn


2026 Phillips Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Saval, Saval Foodservice


2026 Chef Partner of the Year

TDB


2026 ProStart Teacher of the Year

William Cooper
Carver Vocational Technical High School
Baltimore City


2026 ProStart Student of the Year

Jared Osterhout
Fallston High School
Fallston


2026 Hall of Honor Inductees


2026 Food Stations Provided By:

 

Phillips logo
Ace's Run logo

Spain Wine Bar logo

 

Brenda's Pizza logo

Firewater logo
Vaccaro's logo
Crossroads Bistro logo

Hook & Vine logo
Sobar logo
Trader's Coffe House logo

 



 

Gold Sponsors:

MRHSIF logo

Sysco logo

Sprague logo

McCormick logo

Heartland logo

door dash

SECU logo

ecolab logo

JJ McDonnell

 

Table Sponsors:

 

Saval logo
pfg logo
MTC logo
Kelly Benefits logo

 

KB Payroll logo


 

Industry Supporters:

 To be announced.


 

Entertainment Provided By:

To be announced.