RAM Annual Awards Gala 2025

Gala 2025 will take place on Sunday, March 2, from 6:30 - 10:30 pm at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.

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 numerous food stations, an open bar, live music, industry awards, and more.
Suggested Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

Sponsor tables set up at the RAM Awards Gala

A group of people posing with Bartender of the Year, Mya Gour

Chef of the Year, Tobias Dorzon, accepts his award on stage

A photo recap of Gala 2024 has been uploaded via photographer Maximilian Franz's SmugMug. Use password 'CoriG' to access the photos.

Purchase Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities

While Gala is RAM's largest and most exciting annual event, space is limited! This year, we are partnering with the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Assocation (OCHMRA) to bring Gala 2025 to the beach! Sponsors now have the unique opportunity to participate in our Awards Gala and the Spring Trade Expo (March 2 & 3, daytime hours) as a two-for-one deal! Annually, the Spring Trade Expo draws thousands of attendees, making these combination sponsorship packages your ultimate chance for brand exposure. Solidify your company's status in the Mid-Atlantic region while reaching thousands of potential new clients.

VIEW SPONSORSHIP PDF

PURCHASE TABLES AND TICKETS

PLEASE NOTE: The system will ask you for all names associated with your table. Please enter TBD for any guests whom are not confirmed yet. Guest list must be finalized by Friday, February 21st. Please e-mail Cori cgrafer@marylandrestaurants.com with questions and final attendee lists.

Hotel Room Block

RAM has partnered with the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association to open room blocks at several nearby locations. Click here to see the options.

2025 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.

Public nominations are now closed, and the finalists for each category are listed below. Finalist voting is open from ~~January 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025~~

VOTING WILL REMAIN OPEN until Sunday, February 2nd 11:45pm

Be sure to get your last minute weekend votes in!

The finalist with the most votes will win their respective category and be presented with their award at the RAM Gala. You may vote for one or all of the award categories, but duplicate votes will not count. Good luck to everyone!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR FINALISTS