November 17, 2014 | Eater Detroit

It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, gongs—to announce the winners of the 2014 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 24 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the continent that have defined this year in dining. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them.

To recap, Eater's local editors in 24 cities nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, and Stone Cold Stunner. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose one to move forward and the Eater.com brain trust got together to decide the national winners. Without further ado, here's who came out on top in Detroit.

Eater Awards 2014

Restaurant of the Year

Nominees: Rock City Eatery, Craft Work, The Root Restaurant and Bar, Revolver, Wright & Company

Finalists: The Root Restaurant and Bar, Wright & Company, Rock City Eatery

Winner: The Root Restaurant and Bar

Chef of the Year

Nominees: Nikita Sanches, Andy Hollyday, James Rigato, Kate Williams, Matt Dalton

Finalists: James Rigato, Nikita Sanches, Kate Williams

Winner: James Rigato

So Hot Right Now

Nominees: Johnny Noodle King, Rose's Fine Food, Atwater in the Park, Dime Store, La Feria

Finalists: Dime Store, La Feria, Johnny Noodle King

Winner: Dime Store

Bartender of the Year

Nominees: Ricky Ruggero, Kaytee Querro, Zan D., Chuck Gellasch, Lola Gegovic

Finalists: Zan D., Kaytee Querro, Ricky Rugerro, TK, TK

Winner: Zan D.

Stone Cold Stunner

Nominees: Johnny Noodle King, Top of the Pontch, Rubbed, The Zenith, Bistro 82

Finalists: Bistro 82, Top of the Pontch, The Zenith, Johnny Noodle King

Winner: Bistro 82

Bonus Category: Best New Brewery/Distillery

Winner: Detroit City Distillery