3 Bel Air Restaurants In Running For Best Of 2022

BEL AIR, MD — The Restaurant Association of Maryland recognizes chefs, servers, bartenders and managers of eateries around the state each year that have set the standard for service.

Harford County restaurant personnel are in the running for the 2022 awards, including from establishments in Bel Air and Fallston.

Online voting will determine the winners and will take place until Feb. 28. Only one vote per person will be counted, according to organizers.

The Restaurant Association of Maryland will honor the winners at a gala in March.

Here are the bartender of the year finalists:

• Oskr Hernandez of Mucho Gusto in Bel Air
• Shelby Stange of Independent Brewing Company in Bel Air
• Paul Labele of Liquid Assets in Ocean City
• Paula Marks of Kloby's Smokehouse in Laurel
• Jason Smith of Capital Grille in Chevy Chase

The contenders for chef of the year are as follows:

• Zack Trabbold of The Local in Fallston
• Greg Brown of the Land of Kush in Baltimore
• Eric Houseknecht of Thames Street Oyster House in Baltimore
• Gregory James of Stars Restaurant/Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels
• Rehan Khan of Umami Mediterranean Kitchen in Catonsville
• Matthew Oetting of Titan Hospitality in Crofton

Here are the manager of the year choices:

• Kristen Oktavec of One Eleven Main in Bel Air
• Ajay Bhatia of Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville
• Paul Dendorfer of Blue Ruin in Cambridge
• Joel Lichtenberg of Miss Shirley's Café (Annapolis, Baltimore, BWI)
• Juan Francisco Lowman of White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City

These are the finalists in the server of the year category:

• Amanda Wiley of Fallston Barrel House
• Anna Courtney of Westlawn Inn in North Beach
• Taylor Gale of Banditos in White Marsh
• Dana Saeed of Maggie's Farm in Baltimore
• Neddra Smith of Brass Tap (Baltimore and Annapolis)

Online voting started Feb. 14 and runs until Feb. 28.

Vote online here.

Winners will be announced at a gala on March 27 at Maryland Live!