Founding Farmers’ Dan Simons Receives George Washington University Business School Award

A huge congratulations to Dan Simons, principal of VSAG and managing partner of the Farmers Restaurant Group, for being awarded the inaugural “Business Gives Back” Distinguished Alumni Award by the George Washington University School of Business. A 1992 graduate of the GWSB, Dan was recognized at a ceremony this past weekend celebrating the school’s commitment to teaching responsible business practices and empowering students to create positive social change.

Dan’s commitment to successfully incorporating sustainable practices into the Founding Farmers business model is forward-thinking and inspiring to his peers, Founding Farmers’ employees, and guests alike. His dedication to GW runs just as deep: last year he launched a five-year, $5,000 annual scholarship to a student in GW’s sustainability program, in order to encourage a new generation of responsible business leaders.

We’re proud of you, Dan!

Potomac’s Founding Farmers in the Washington Post

Washington Post food writer Tim Carman recently chatted with Dan Simons, our concept developer and managing partner, about the new Founding Farmers location that will be opening in Potomac, Md., soon.

FF in Washington City Paper’s List of Powerful Restaurants

The cover story of this week’s Washington City Paper names “D.C.’s 44 heaviest hitters” in the restaurant scene, and we’re proud to say that we’ve made the cut, coming in at #28.

We’re a RAMMY Finalist Again!

Founding Farmers is pleased as Pisco Punch to say that we’ve been named as a finalist in the 2011 RAMMYS Mixology/Beverage Program. All credit goes to Executive Bar Chef Jon Arroyo, whose creativity and vision behind the bar have put us in the running for a RAMMY award in this category for the second year in a row.

Beginning today, and continuing through June 20, he’ll be serving a special off-menu concoction: The Citros Gengibre, a tasty mix of Tres Generations Tequila, house-made ginger beer, grapefruit bitters and juice, and other tidbits. Be sure to ask your server or bartender for it by name. Along with the drink you’ll have the opportunity to vote for the cocktail as a “fan favorite” in the 2011 RAMMYS. You’ll also be entered into a drawing for two tickets to attend the awards ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, June 26. Bottoms up!

VSAG Names Scholarship for Sustainability

VSAG Principal Dan Simons with recipient, Lily Belter

Soon the school year at George Washington University will come to a close, and one student in particular has VSAG, Founding Farmers and Farmers & Fishers restaurants in her corner, with a $5,000 scholarship to help get her closer to her BBA from the GW School of Business in 2012.   Lily Belter was selected as the first recipient of the new Scholarship for Sustainable Hospitality, and over the next four years four other students will be selected to receive the $5,000 prize.

Last fall, VSAG Principal and GW School of Business ’92 alumni Dan Simons presented the award to Lily at Founding Farmers in Washington, D.C., just two blocks from campus.  VSAG Principals Dan Simons and Michael Vucurevich have committed to to continue awarding this scholarship for a total of five years, seeing the scholarship as a way of not only helping to support a bright future for a student that will make very positive contributions to the preservation of the earth and our environment, but also as a way to give back in support of the GWU community.  ”We’re really proud to see someone as accomplished and as motivated as Lily be our first Scholarship for Sustainable Hospitality recipient.  It’s encouraging and fulfilling to know that issues of earth-friendly practices are as important to the next generation as they are to us,” offered Simons. Both Dan and Mike have greatly influenced and contributed to more sustainable practices and awareness through the restaurant community (and beyond) in D.C. since launching Founding Farmers in 2008, the region’s first LEED Gold Certified Restaurant, and one that continues to draw thousands of guests a week.

Founding Farmers Achieves 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant®

As Washington’s first Certified Green Restaurant, we are thrilled to announce that we have been promoted by the Green Restaurant Association to a 3 star certification. At Founding Farmers and our sister restaurant, Farmers & Fishers, we take our commitment to sustainable practices as seriously as our commitment to exceptional food and drink. We are beyond grateful to the Founding Farmers family of our loyal customers and team members for their support and allowing us to realize our dream of serving award-winning cuisine in an eco-friendly manner.

WCP Reader’s Poll Awards Founding Farmers Best American Restaurant 2011

For the third consecutive year, Founding Farmers has been crowned by the good people of DC as the Best American Restaurant in the 2011 Washington City Paper’s Reader Poll. It has been our passion to serve our friends and family from our farm-inspired American menu of true food and drink. Recognition such as this warms our hearts and constantly inspires us to go above and beyond the ordinary. So whether you are a regular or newbie, come down to Foggy Bottom and let us show you what award-winning food really tastes like.

Viewing Party: Founding Farmers on Food Network, Jan 3 at 10PM

On Monday, January 3, Chef Robert Irvine will showcase Founding Farmers’ Devil-ish Eggs Combo for The Best Thing I Ever Ate reinvented classics episode. Chef Irvine sampled the decadent snacks while visiting Washington, DC.

In June, a Food Network crew spent the afternoon at Founding Farmers capturing the preparation process from peeling to plating. Executive Chef Al Nappo revealed his tricks for reinventing this classic family dish by adding fresh lobster, crab, smoked salmon and a few secret ingredients that make the filling so unforgettable.

Join us for a viewing party at the Founding Farmers bar on Monday, January 3 from 10:00 to 11:00 pm. The episode begins at 10:00 pm, so pull up a bar stool and sample one of the complimentary Devil-ish Eggs we’ll be dishing out throughout the show.

Founding Farmers serves up over 1,000 cage-free Devil-ish Eggs each month. From the classic to the three seafood varieties, these gourmet bar snacks are in high demand. We hope you’ll join us on January 3 to enjoy this reinvented classic dish.