Vienna's Clarity, Chef Win 2021 RAMMY Awards

VIENNA, VA — A Vienna restaurant was among the businesses and individuals recognized at the 39th Annual RAMMY Awards Sunday.

The RAMMYS, hosted by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, recognize the accomplishments of individuals and businesses in the DC region's restaurant and food service industry. Fully vaccinated guests were invited to attend the ceremony in person at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Clarity, a restaurant from Chef-owner Jon Krinn, won the Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign (Indoors or Outdoors) RAMMY. The restaurant adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic by offering Krinn's rotating menu in an outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining area in the parking lot.

Krinn individually won a Good Neighbor Award for a Taste of DC in VA and To Community and Beyond: the Crossing Culinary Bridges Guest DC Chef Series. The series featured different guest chefs from DC to introduce their dishes to Northern Virginia diners. Their food was available for dine-in or takeout, with proceeds going to the guest chefs.

"Proud of what we did through a year of hellish turmoil," Krinn stated in a Facebook post. "Our health is more important than anything we accomplish. Take care of yourself at any cost."

The Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign category was one of various special categories recognizing the challenges the restaurant industry faced and adapted to in 2020. Eight of the categories, including the Outstanding Covid-Safe Redesign, were decided by judges. Nine categories were based on a public vote. Judges also provided honorable mentions for two categories — Sweet Relief: Baking and Pastry To Go and Wine To Go Program.

Aside from judge and public-decided awards, the RAMMYs recognized businesses for anniversary milestones. The 2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award was given to Glory Days Grill for 25 years of business, La Chaumière for 45 years, Peacock Cafe for 30 years, Pizzeria Paradiso for 30 years, and Ristorante Piccolo for 35 years.

See other award winners at www.therammys.org.