44th RAMMYS Highlight Best of D.C Culture at 250: Diversity, Community, Care for All

June 30, 2026

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's 44th RAMMYS awards ceremony celebrated the District's food and beverage industry as a vital force for community building and cultural connection during America's 250th anniversary celebrations. Chef Martel Stone from Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi won Rising Culinary Star of the Year, exemplifying how restaurants serve as gathering places that showcase Washington D.C.'s diverse cultural heritage. The event's theme "A Seat for Everyone" emphasized the restaurant industry's role in creating inclusive spaces where communities can connect and feel welcomed.

Who is affected

Martel Stone, chef de cuisine at Dōgon (RAMMY winner for Rising Culinary Star of the Year)
Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and its members
District Mayor Muriel Bowser
Kwame Onwuachi (Dōgon restaurant owner)
Ricardo Johnson, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield executive
Shawn Townsend, RAMW president and CEO
Chefs, embassies, museums, libraries and communities across Washington D.C.
Residents and visitors to the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area
The Dōgon restaurant team and kitchen staff

What action is being taken

The Dōgon restaurant team is completely overhauling their menu while maintaining West African and Caribbean influences
The restaurant is becoming more intentional about sourcing food locally
Dōgon's beverage menu is getting a refresh based on a fictional character's travels through the Black Diaspora experience
The restaurant uses "creation by committee" to incorporate team members' experiences, backgrounds, and inspirations into the culinary process

Why it matters

Restaurants serve as essential gathering places that go beyond providing meals—they function as cultural connectors, community builders, and spaces for celebrating diversity in the nation's capital. During America's 250th anniversary, the D.C. restaurant industry showcases how the country's multicultural heritage comes together through food, creating inclusive environments where people feel welcome, seen, and connected. The industry's commitment to representation and collaboration, exemplified by establishments like Dōgon, provides a form of community care that strengthens neighborhoods and helps preserve cultural traditions while making them accessible to broader audiences.

What's next

Dōgon will launch a completely new menu featuring Philadelphia influences alongside West African and Caribbean traditions
The restaurant will implement enhanced local food sourcing practices
A new beverage program will debut featuring drinks inspired by travels through the Black Diaspora experience

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer