Frank ruta, executive chef

In September 2019, Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj announced the appointment of Frank Ruta as executive chef of Annabelle, his newest fine dining concept located at 2132 Florida Avenue. N.W.  Ruta’s distinguished career spans over three decades and includes eleven years as executive sous chef at the White House, serving under three presidents and as owner/chef of the award-winning Palena.  Prior to joining Annabelle, Ruta served as executive chef at the notable Mirabelle in Washington, D.C. In October 2000, Ruta joined talent forces with his partner Ann Amernick to open Palena.  A beloved restaurant in the Cleveland Park neighborhood, it earned early success securing its place in the competitive Washington, D.C. culinary scene for the thirteen years. Ruta and Palena received widespread recognition and acclaim including Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best Chef” in 2001, Esquire Magazine “Best New Restaurant” in 2001, Washingtonian Magazine 2002 “Restaurateurs of the Year” (along with Ann Amernick, then co-owner and pastry chef), James Beard “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic” in 2007, The Washington City Paper 2007 “Chef of the Year” and James Beard nomination for “Best Restaurant” in 2014. In October 2016, he was tapped to open Mirabelle as executive chef, before joining Knightsbridge Restaurant Group in April 2019.

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