OCEAN CITY, MD — The co-founder of a popular Montgomery County restaurant chain was named "Restaurateur of the Year" during a special gala over the weekend in Ocean City.

Bob Giaimo of Silver Diner was presented the award at the Restaurant Association of Maryland's Stars of the Industry Awards. The award, sponsored by the Maryland Restaurant & Hospitality Self Insurance Fund, honored "A restaurant owner who shows originality, offers quality customer service, demonstrates success in the eyes of his/her fellow operators, and demonstrates leadership on behalf of the foodservice industry," according to a press release.



Giaimo co-founded Silver Diner Inc. in 1989, with the first location opening in Rockville. The diner now has 15 locations in three states.

"Giaimo holds the philosophy that everyone can make a difference; we just have to get involved," the Silver Diner website states. "He has put this philosophy to work by being an active member in the community."

The following restaurateurs were nominated: 1. Kyle Algaze - Iron Rooster

2. Bob Giaimo - Silver Diner

3. Mike Isabella - Mike Isabella Concepts

4. Charles Levine - Citron

5. Jay Taustin - The Embers Restaurant/BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar

SEE ALSO: 2 Bethesda Restaurants Up For State Awards



This was the 64th annual awards ceremony for the Restaurant Association of Maryland, an organization dedicated to promoting and improving the restaurant industry, to honor what it says are the state's elite establishments. More than 30,000 people voted online to help determine the winners for a variety of awards, from favorite new restaurant (The Elephant in Baltimore) to chef of the year (George Batlas, The Manor Tavern, Monkton).