The Restaurant Association of Maryland announces the finalists for the highly anticipated Annual Awards Gala sponsored by McCormick and Company.  The awards honor the Maryland hospitality industry’s best in such categories as Maryland’s Favorite New Restaurant, Chef of the Year, and more.  Winners of these prestigious awards will be revealed at the 58^th Annual Industry Awards Gala on Monday, April 16, 2012 from 6pm to 11pm at Martin’s West in Baltimore.  

Members of the dining public are strongly encouraged to visit www.marylandrestaurants.com/gala to cast their votes for their favorite nominees in each category.  Competition is steep: in the past, more than 30,000 votes per year have been collected. Voting will continue until March 9, 2012. 

2012 Award Nominees

Voted on by the Dining Public:

Maryland’s Favorite New Restaurant

• The Americana, Baltimore
• Corner BYOB, Hampden
• de Lazy Lizard, Ocean City
• Fishnet, College Park
• Havana Road Cuban Café, Towson

Chef of the Year

• Daniel Wecker, The Elkridge Furnace Inn
• Jeff Smith, The Chameleon Café
• Jim Barrett, Azure
• John Hufnagel, The Grille at Peerce’s
• Patrick Fanning, The High Spot

Craft Brew Program of the Year

• The Brewer’s Art, Baltimore
• Franklins Restaurant, Brewery & General Store, Hyattsville
• Frisco Tap House & Brewery, Columbia
• Max’s Taphouse, Baltimore
• SoBo’s Wine Beerstro, Salisbury
• Freddie’s Lobster & Clams, Bethesda

Favorite Restaurant

• Baldwin Station, Sykesville
• Box Hill Pizzeria, Bel Air
• Houlihan’s, Columbia
• Passage to India, Bethesda
• Peter’s Inn, Baltimore
• The Red Star Bar & Grill, Baltimore 

Favorite Bar and/or Tavern

• Buffalo Wild Wings, Statewide
• Johnny Rads, Baltimore
• Pusser’s Caribbean Grille, Annapolis
• Quarry House Tavern, Silver Spring
• Shenanigan’s Irish Pub & Grille, Ocean City

Wine and Beverage Program of the Year

• AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar, Columbia
• Bistro Blanc, Glenelg
• Mr. Rain’s Fun House, Baltimore
• Red Red Wine Bar, Annapolis
• The Tasting Room, Frederick

Favorite Food Truck

• The Gypsy Queen, Baltimore
• Haute Dog Fabulous Franks, Baltimore
• IcedGems, Reisterstown
• Kooper’s Chowhound Burger Wagon, Baltimore
• Miss Shirley’s Café, Baltimore

Voted on by Association Members Only:

Allied Member of the Year – Nominations

• Coastal Sunbelt Produce, John Corso
• The Columbia Bank, Del Karfonta
• Corporate Coverage, Tim Thompson
• Meetlocalbiz.com, Todd Sachs
• MICROS, Henry Pertman

Restaurateur of the Year - Nominations

• Anthony Clarke, Galway Bay Irish Pub
• Bill Herbst, La Hacienda
• Linwood Dame, Linwoods
• Matt Milani, The Rumor Mill Fusion Bar & Restaurant
• Tammy Patrick-Cebula, Galaxy 66 Bar & Grille
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Be among the first to know the 2012 Industry Award winners and celebrate the Maryland restaurant industry by attending the Awards Gala in April.  Tickets are $175 per person and include a spectacular cocktail hour featuring food from Restaurant Association of Maryland member restaurants, an extravagant sit down dinner and dancing, all in addition to the awards ceremony.

Tickets are available to purchase at www.marylandrestaurants.com/gala. For more information on becoming a sponsor of this event, please contact Sarah Cunningham at 410-290-6800.

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