Tim Ma: RAMMYS 2014 Finalist for 'Rising Culinary Star of the Year'

Vienna restaurant owner and chef Tim Ma is a finalist for this year's RAMMY Rising Culinary Star of the Year award, according to the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, which unveiled its finalists Tuesday night.

The RAMMYS are the Oscars of the DC-area culinary world, handed out in June by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

The category in which Ma is a finalist is described as an “up and coming” chef who demonstrates exemplary talent, shows leadership and promise for the future. The nominee must have been based in the Metropolitan Washington area for a minimum of two years.

Maple Ave.: Finalist for 'Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year'

In addition to Ma being a finalist in the Rising Culinary Star category, his Vienna restaurant, Maple Ave. Restaurant, is also a finalist this year for a RAMMY in the category of "Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year." Check out the current menus for Maple Ave. here. The restaurant is located at 147 Maple Ave. West in Vienna.

The category description is "a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service in an upscale casual environment. The nominee must have been in business a minimum of two years by December 1, 2013."

The other restaurants in this category are:

• Et Voila!
• Oyamel
• Proof
• Ripple

Ma is also the owner of Water & Wall, a restaurant he opened in Arlington last year. The restaurant is located at 3811 N. Fairfax Dr.

An anonymous panel of 11 food writers, critics and editors from around the District, Maryland and Virginia select most of the nominees and pick the winners in the highest-profile categories, according to an article in The Washington Post. Read more about the history of the awards in the Post story here.