Best Chef, Restaurant, Bar In Maryland: 2019 List Of Winners

MARYLAND — The Restaurant Association of Maryland recently honored the winners of the 2019 Stars of the Industry Awards. Restaurants, chefs, craft brewers and others were recognized.

For 2019, two new categories were introduced — "favorite fast casual restaurant" and "favorite international cuisine restaurant."

There was also a new scholarship introduced to honor Eddison Hermond, the man killed in the 2018 Ellicott City flood.

More than 30,000 people participated in online voting to determine the winners; and over 500 people attended the 65th annual Stars of the Industry Awards Gala on May 5 in Baltimore. The event is sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, the trade organization that promotes the state's hospitality industry.

“The gala is our opportunity to honor and give recognition to elite restaurants across the state," Marshall Weston, president/CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said in a statement. "We are fortunate to have such a diverse group of restaurants to choose from who are dedicated to their customers, their community and their employees."

Here are the winners of the 2019 Stars of the Restaurant Industry Awards:

2019 Restaurateur of the Year — A restaurant owner who shows originality, offers quality customer service, demonstrates success in the eyes of his/her fellow operators and demonstrates leadership on behalf of the food service industry.

• Steve Wecker - Cured | 18th & 21st, Iron Bridge Wine Company, Mutiny Pirate Bar & Island Grille

2019 Chef of the Year — An executive chef who demonstrates consistent standards of excellence, serves as an inspiration to other food service professionals, displays dedication to the artistry of food and exhibits ongoing commitment to the community.

• Ashish Alfred - Duck Duck Goose

2019 Craft Brew Program of the Year — An establishment that is recognized for its craft beer selection and features staff that are knowledgeable and passionate about the world of craft beers.

• The Judge's Bench - Ellicott City

2019 Favorite New Restaurant (Statewide) — A new establishment opened in Maryland in the past two years that exhibits a topnotch menu, impeccable service and amazing atmosphere.

• The Charles - La Plata

2019 Favorite Restaurant — A trendy spot or old favorite that you return to time and time again.

• Clyde's - Columbia, Chevy Chase & Rockville

2019 Favorite Bar or Tavern —The "watering hole" you frequent where the drinks are great and the bartenders are beyond compare.

• Phoenix Emporium - Ellicott City

2019 Heart of the Industry Award — A staffer who goes above and beyond to keep the restaurant running smoothly and exemplifies dependability, teamwork and dedication to the industry.

• Kristen Walter - Manager - The Point Crab House & Grill

2019 Favorite Fast Casual Restaurant —A place people love to stop to get a quick bite that blends quick service with traditional sit-down restaurants.

• Moby Dick House of Kabob - Baltimore, Pikesville & Montgomery County

2019 Favorite International Cuisine Restaurant — A favorite restaurant celebrating the world’s diverse culinary traditions- featuring international ingredients showcasing global flavor profiles.

• Honey Pig Korean BBQ - Ellicott City & Rockville

The Brice & Shirley Phillips Lifetime Achievement Award — Given to the person who exemplifies sound business principles and impeccable character and is dedicated to the betterment of the restaurant and food service industry.

• Bill King - Crab Shanty & Sea King

Eddie Dopkin First Course Award, Honoring Entrepreneurship in Hospitality — The Dopkin family created this $5,000 scholarship to celebrate the life and memory of Eddie Dopkin, founder and visionary behind Miss Shirley’s Café and partner with The Classic Catering People.

• David Vaughn Jr., Stratford University

2019 ProStart Student of the Year —Given to the high school student dedicated to pursuing a career in the food service industry. Not only do they have excellent grades, but also take the time for extra-curricular activities all while being a leader in their classroom.

• Jackelyn Alfaro- Sherwood High School

2019 ProStart Teacher of the Year — Given to the high school culinary arts or restaurant management teacher who empowers and inspires students to pursue a career in the hospitality industry while also holding students to a high standard.

• Andre Williams - Bladensburg High School

2019 Eddison Hermond Memorial Scholarship Recipient — Eddison Alexander Hermond died in the Ellicott City flood on May 27, 2018. He served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force and in 2009 joined the Army National Guard and ultimately settled in Howard County. While serving as a member of the National Guard, Eddison also worked at Victoria Restaurant Group. He was one of the first employees when it opened Victoria Gastro Pub in Columbia in 2007 and worked his way up to management, helping open Manor Hill Tavern in Old Ellicott City in 2017. In hopes to continue his legacy of service and love for the hospitality industry, his friends and family established the Eddison Hermond Memorial Scholarship, to enable others to further their education and their service to others. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a member of the hospitality industry who embodies the same values by which Eddison lived.

• The scholarship's first recipient is Grace Schuler - Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.

RAM Cornerstone of the Industry Award — Given to companies that illustrate how restaurants are the cornerstone of the economy and their community, supporting local communities through creating jobs and financially supporting nonprofits, schools, scouts and youth sports teams.

• Carrol's Creek Cafe - Annapolis
• Glory Days Grill - Statewide
• The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille - Statewide
• Miss Shirley's Cafe - Baltimore & Annapolis
• Salerno's Restaurant & Catering - Eldersburg
• Tino's Italian Bistro - Columbia

2019 Allied Member of the Year — An industry supplier company that goes above and beyond to serve the food service industry, demonstrates leadership and is recognized for outstanding service and quality products.

• Restaurant Reputations - represented by Todd Collins

Maryland Hospitality Hall of Honor 2019 Inductees — Created to recognize restaurants that embody the spirit of the hospitality industry based on contributions to their customers and longevity (awardees have all been in business for at least 20 years):

• The Crackpot Seafood Restaurant - Towson
• Jasper’s Restaurant - Largo
• Johanssons Dining House - Westminster
• Mountain Gate Family Restaurant - Thurmont
• The Olde Philadelphia Inn - Rosedale
• Old Stein Inn - Edgewater
• Tastee Diner - Bethesda