MD Chef Scores Big Restaurant Nod

BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE, MD — The semifinalists for the 2026 Rammy Awards are in, and one local chef was selected.

Jarrad Silver, the chef and owner of Silver and Sons BBQ in Bethesda, was listed as one of the semifinalists for this year's Rammy Awards, which are scheduled for June.

Silver landed a spot under the gala's rising culinary star of the year selections.

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Organized as part of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the Rammys are one of the most respected awards in the restaurant industry.

The release marks the first time in 40 years that a list of semifinalists was publicly released by organizers.

Shawn Townsend, the president and CEO of RAMW, said that the release of the list "allows us to expand the circle of recognition of chefs, restaurateurs and hospitality professionals who are pushing the industry forward and making Washington one of the most exciting food cities in the country."

Silver grew up in Bethesda, where he honed his skills of blending Jewish and Mediterranean flavors with traditional American barbecue.

A seasoned chef, he founded the Silver and Sons brand in 2020 and operated out of a food truck before opening his first brick-and-mortar location at 5362 Westbard Avenue.

The Silver and Sons BBQ location is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Find the full list of semifinalists online.