This spring I was tickled to receive a RAMMYs In Focus grant to photograph behind the scenes and in the kitchens of some of DC's best restaurants for the Washington Restaurant Association. I was honored to be named the winning photographer at the June 7th RAMMY Awards! I got to go to the awards and EAT ALL THE DELICIOUS THINGS while watching the photos on jumbotron screens at the Washington Convention Center - which was pretty freaking cool. And delicious. I drank a peanut and vinegar cocktail from barmini that was EVERYTHING. Aside from celebratory cocktail excellence, the photos will be featured in an exhibition during FotoWeekDC. Excitement!
From an overflowing vat of hops in a beer experiment gone "heavy" to a lesson in how to butcher a 340 pound pig, taking the pictures was spicy in more ways than the food. It was fascinating to be a voyeur into kitchen cultures, and a pleasure to photograph the hardworking teams and the food they generously made for me. Mounds of thanks to the restaurants, chefs, and managers for hosting and feeding me!
I'm excited to share the stories I did of each restaurant in galleries below; you can check out the full set HERE.
First up: Bluejacket and the HOPS OF GLORY.
Next, Evening Star Cafe and all the tasty, comforting Southern food.
Below, Iron Gate's precise and mouthwatering food, including stuffed squid. James Beard award winner for a reason, y'all.
Red Apron Butcher and Partisan were next, with all the meat things and adorable aprons.
And finally, I went to Birch and Barley/Churchkey for some serious pig time. Want to know what butchering a 340 pound pig looks like? Click through, and bask in the glory that is BACON SLAB.
