2023 CRAZIES PROGRAM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS About the CRA.............................................................................................................................7 CRA Chairman’s Message........................................................................................................9 Welcome from President & CEO.............................................................................................11 CRA Board of Directors............................................................................................................13 CHEF Board of Directors..........................................................................................................15 Event Sponsors.........................................................................................................................17 Event Sponsors.........................................................................................................................19 Program......................................................................................................................................21 Restaurateurs of the Year - Tony Pham & Rich Reyes....................................................27 Friend of the Industry - Vincent Candelora..............................................................................29 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame - Pellicci’s................................................................31 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame - Shady Glen.........................................................33 Finalists - Vendor, Caterer, Pastry Chef & Bartender...........................................................37 Finalists - Server, People’s Choice, Newcomer & Chef....................................................39 Finalists - County Restaurants of the Year..........................................................................41 CT Hospitality Educational Foundation..............................................................................43 PROSTART Champions ...........................................................................................................45

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PROUD SPONSORS OF THE CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Congratulations To All! THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT INDUSTRY!


CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

Pictured: Michelle Korsmo, National Restaurant Association President & CEO, Governor Ned Lamont & Scott Dolch, CRA President & CEO

CRA STAFF PRESIDENT & CEO Scott Dolch dolch@ctrestaurant.org

VP SALES & OPERATIONS Yvette M. Tavares tavares@ctrestaurant.org

FOUNDATION DIRECTOR Jennifer Conkling-Schmitz conkling@ctrestaurant.org

MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER Elizabeth Barry barry@ctrestaurant.org

ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR Katie Gerber gerber@ctrestaurant.org

EDUCATION ASSISTANT Brianna Vig vig@ctrestaurant.org

PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSISTANT Andy Pixley pixley@ctrestaurant.org

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION The Connecticut Restaurant Association is a champion serving every restaurant and hospitality business in Connecticut. We unite our industry so that it can speak together with one clear voice. We provide our members with timely information, cost-effective benefits, and a dynamic networking platform. Our industry employs more than 145,000 workers in Connecticut and generates $11.1 billion in annual sales. The CRA works in partnership with the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) to protect, advance, and educate our growing industry. Your voice as a member is an important part of the success of our community. By investing in membership, you will have a platform to amplify your voice, gain access to business-building tools and develop meaningful relationships with your peers.

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CRA CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Welcome to the 2023 CRAZIES Awards Gala. As Chairman for the Connecticut Restaurant Association Board of Directors, I am happy to welcome you, and to thank all of our sponsors, members, and potential new members for supporting the CRA. I am proud to be a part of an organization that supports its members by engaging with stakeholders, impacting legislation, and building lasting relationships at the state and local levels to ensure that our industry can grow and thrive. The CRAZIES are about celebrating the successes of our industry and recognizing all that we have accomplished over the past year, despite the continued hurdles we all face together. As we celebrate year 5 of the CRAZIES, I am excited to break attendance records once again, bringing more energy and enthusiasm to the industry event of the year. As an independent, single-location restaurant owner and operator, I have experienced firsthand how our industry continues to grapple with challenges such as inflation, worker shortages, supply chain disruptions, and more. Nevertheless, I am confident that our member restaurants, caterers, and private event venues will persevere, providing exceptional service to customers throughout Connecticut, as you always have. Similarly, I know our unparalleled staff and Board of Directors at the CRA will continue delivering the highest level of service and support to our industry. I would like to extend my congratulations to all of our honorees, finalists, and winners. Thank you to all of our restaurant owners, operators, and staff for your attendance this evening – I know how difficult it is to get away from your restaurants, even for one night! I am optimistic about the bright future for Connecticut’s restaurant industry. Cheers to another successful year in 2024!

Keith Beaulieu Owner of The Main Pub (Manchester, CT) CRA Board Chairman

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WELCOME TO THE 2023 CRAZIES On behalf of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, I extend a warm welcome to all attendees of the 2023 CRAZIES Awards Gala. As we gather here tonight to celebrate the fifth year of the CRAZIES, I feel privileged to be a part of this increasingly popular event that has become a cornerstone for our industry. It serves as a unifying force, bringing together members of our association, partners in government, and countless friends, families, and supporters of Connecticut’s vibrant hospitality industry. We cannot overlook the very real challenges that Connecticut’s restaurant industry continues to face as this year draws to a close. However, in the face of these obstacles, the resilience demonstrated by local restaurants and hospitality businesses is truly unmatched. Your unwavering dedication and ability to adapt are a testament to the world-class service you provide to customers across the state each and every day. We are immensely proud of the progress we have achieved in recent years, while humbly acknowledging that there will be many more hurdles on the road ahead. No matter what, we will remain a united industry. We will continue to confront challenges head-on, and continue to grow stronger together. I would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors who have consistently supported us and made the 2023 CRAZIES Awards Gala an unforgettable occasion. Congratulations to all the deserving honorees and good luck to the finalists! Let us revel in this night of celebration and acknowledge the tremendous contributions of the Connecticut restaurant community.

Scott Dolch President & CEO Connecticut Restaurant Association CT Hospitality Educational Foundation

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Congratulations to all of tonight’s 2023 Honorees & Nominees

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2023 CRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Keith Beaulieu The Main Pub

VICE CHAIRMAN Bill Taibe For the Food Restaurant Group

SECRETARY Jonathan Jennings CT Wedding Group

TREASURER Phil Barnett Hartford Restaurant Group

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Dan Meiser 85th Day Food Community

LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN Tim Adams J. Timothy’s Taverne

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Steven Abrams Max Restaurant Group

Ryan O’Donnell Pullman Comley

A.J. Aurrichio Tanda Hospitality

Brian Phelps Toad’s Place

Suzanne Cannon (Honorary) Formerly Eli Cannons Tap Room

Doug Polistena The Amber Room Colonnade

William daSilva SBC Restaurant Group

Matt Storch Match | Match Burger Lobster

Christina FitzGerald Union League Cafe

Don Stevens CohnReznick

Olivia Formica Flanders Fish Market

Anthony Sullo Joey Garlic’s

Jason Guyot Foxwoods Resort Casino

Stephen Tagliatela Saybrook Point & Marina | Fresh Salt

Michael Marchetti Columbus Park Trattoria | Osteria Applausi | Tarantino Restaurant

Helmar Wolf Mill Restaurant Group

Scott Miller DORO Restaurant Group

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2023 CHEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN David Rutigliano SBC Restaurant Group

VICE CHAIRMAN Dan Meiser 85th Day Food Community

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Tyler Anderson Tanda Hospitality

Jan Jones University of New Haven

Phil Barnett Hartford Restaurant Group

Scott Miller DORO Restaurant Group

Ben Dubow Forge City Works

Roshara Sanders Culinary Institute of America

Christopher Gentile Gateway Community College

Anthony Sullo Joey Garlic’s

For nearly 200 years, Liberty Bank has worked to improve the lives of our customers, teammates and the communities we serve. We are proud to support the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) and their commitment to offering benefits and resources to any size restaurant in our community. We are delighted to sponsor the 2023 CRAzies and join in celebrating the 5 year anniversary!

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2023 SPONSORS TITLE SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSORS

DINNER SPONSOR

RECEPTION SPONSOR

AFTER PARTY SPONSOR

PHOTOBOOTH SPONSOR

VOTING SPONSOR

REGISTRATION SPONSOR

LOUNGE SPONSORS

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Congratulations

2023 “CRAzies” Honorees, Winners & Nominees Connecticut Restaurant Association members, we celebrate you!

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2023 SPONSORS ALLIED SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

DIAMOND SPONSORS 85th Day Group 110 Grill/RA Ventures Hospitality Allan S. Goodman Brown-Forman ClarkHirth CohnReznick Coracora DBP Caputo Dockside Brewery Eder Bros Falvey Linen Fire by Forge Flanders Fish Market Garden Catering Group

Gordon Food Service Hartford Distributors Inc. J. Timothy’s Taverne Liberty Bank Market Hospitality Group Mill Restaurant Group Molson Coors Restaurant City Saybrook Point Resort & Marina Slocum & Sons The Amber Room Colonnade The Charles Toast POS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS Archie Moore’s Beverage Journal Brinker Interational For The Food GoNation Hartford Restaurant Group Marcia Selden Catering MyCTSavings

Napoli Foods, Inc Powers, Griffin & Hill Powerstation Events Sprague Energy Tanda Hospitality Taste of New Haven Toad’s Place Trimark

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2023 CRAZIES PROGRAM •

MASTER OF CEREMONIES - Larry Cafero

WELCOME - Scott Dolch, CRA President & CEO

FIRST COURSE •

FRIEND OF THE INDUSTRY - House Minority Leader, Vincent Candelora

VENDOR OF THE YEAR

CATERER OF THE YEAR presented by Powerstation Events

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc

SERVER OF THE YEAR presented by Skrewball

PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR

SECOND COURSE •

CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME - Pellicci’s Ristorante presented by GoNation

COUNTY RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR Litchfield | Fairfield | Hartford | New Haven Tolland | Middlesex | Windham | New London presented by Sysco

CT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION & PROSTART RECOGNITION presented by The Hartford

CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME Shady Glen Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor presented by GoNation

THIRD COURSE •

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

RESTAURANT NEWCOMER presented by Brescome Barton

RESTAURATEURS OF THE YEAR - Tony Pham & Rich Reyes | Mecha Noodle Bar presented by The Hartford

CHEF OF THE YEAR presented by Performance Foodservice

CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR presented by Sysco

CLOSING & AFTER PARTY - Shrine Nightclub

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RESTAURATEURS OF THE YEAR presented by The Hartford

TONY PHAM & RICH REYES Mecha Noodle Bar

Since they were little, Tony and Rich were taught the traditional ways of cooking and the value of a shared meal. Through the sacrifice and story of their immigrant parents, the seed of the American Dream was planted, and this is what grew: a commitment to build something bigger than themselves…Mecha Noodle Bar was born. From what started as a small noodle shop in Fairfield just over ten years ago, Mecha has grown to seven locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts, with three more stores coming online next year in Washington D.C., Colorado and Ohio. 10 restaurants in 10 years! Tony and Rich are on a mission to revolutionize the restaurant industry, one noodle bar at a time. Their vision of “creating a better future together” extends beyond the walls of their establishments, inspiring their team and everyone they encounter to embody the essence of what it means to be a good human. Eat Justice was born out of Tony and Rich’s vision for impacting the local communities their restaurants serve. It’s a simple concept: raise the price of certain menu items by 50 cents and donate the sum to a worthy cause of the staff’s choosing every month. The guys believe and live by the mantra: Profit matters. People matter more. Embodying this in the way they invest in their people, their stores and their local communities. To date, local Mecha noodle bars have given almost $700,000 away through Eat Justice.

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DoorDash is proud to support the Connecticut Restaurant Association and this year's CRAzies award. Congratulations to this year's Honorees and Nominees!


FRIEND OF THE INDUSTRY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER VINCENT CANDELORA Representative of the 86th House District

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora is state representative for the 86th District serving residents of North Branford, Durham, East Haven, and Guilford. He was elected to his ninth term in November 2022, and soon after saw House Republican legislators make him their unanimous choice to serve as Minority Leader for a second two-year term. Candelora, who previously served as a Deputy House Republican Leader, saw his colleagues first choose him as leader in 2020. Aside from serving as a state representative, Candelora’s long record of civic involvement includes three terms on North Branford’s Town Council as well as one as deputy mayor. He’s volunteered for the town’s public school system, and he’s a past president of both North Branford’s Chamber of Commerce and its Rotary Club. During his time serving in the General Assembly, Candelora has served on a wide variety of legislative committees—everything from Finance to Public Health—and has led the House Republican caucus Screening Committee that reviews legislation before it’s put up for a vote in the House of Representatives. He’s been an advocate for increased government transparency while helping to lead Republican efforts to stabilize the state’s finances and improve its business climate. Over the years, Candelora has helped offer alternative “no tax increase” budget proposals aimed at making Connecticut more affordable while also tackling structural deficits. Throughout the 2023 legislative session, Candelora drove the effort to inject House Republican proposals into budget negotiations, issuing a balanced two-year proposal which shaped the discussion that produced a bipartisan budget delivering $800 million in tax relief for Connecticut residents. He also was a leading voice in efforts to address Connecticut’s problems with juvenile crime while also pursuing changes to the controversial “police accountability” legislation that law enforcement offers say makes their work more challenging and less safe. Outside the legislature, Candelora helps run two family-owned businesses—a manufacturing company and a sportsplex. He has also practiced municipal and transactional law at a New Haven-based firm, and he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, former Chief Judge of the Appellate Court of Connecticut.

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CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME presented by GoNation

PELLICCI’S RISTORANTE

Stamford In 1947, the Pellicci family opened their restaurant in the Heart of Stamford, its Italian West Side. By 1955, a loyal and expanding clientele made it necessary to enlarge their facilities and their menu which featured a secret family recipe for baked chicken. Now after 76 years, the Pellicci family invites guests to visit their lounge with its mahogany bar, whispering waterfall and stained glass ceiling. Patrons enjoy the finest in Italian cuisine: a long list of favorites on the extensive menu from Hot Antipasto to Cappuccino. The Pellicci’s say the secret of their success is the year after year, generation after generation, return of their original customers and their families. The family are pleased to see the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren of their first customers, bringing their families to Pellicci’s.

Photo: @heystamford

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Toad's Place congratulates the Connecticut Restaurant Association for another great year!! You Rock!


CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME presented by GoNation

SHADY GLEN RESTAURANT & ICE CREAM PARLOR Manchester

John and Bernice Rieg opened the first Shady Glen store near the Manchester/Bolton town line in 1948 and a second store in the Manchester Parkade shopping center in 1965, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 1946, John and Bernice Rieg decided to expand their farm into making and selling ice cream. The University of Connecticut at the time had a strong program for helping farmers to diversify, and the Riegs worked with Leonard R. Dowd, Professor of Dairy Manufacturing in UConn’s Department of Animal Industries, on their first formulas for ice cream. The ice cream was a huge success at Shady Glen.

Photo: The Distracted Wanderer

The First Shady Glen Dairy Store was a two-and-a-half room summer cottage on ten acres of land, 1/4 mile from the Rieg farm. It was, at the time, located in an isolated area. Although the cottage had an electric light pole in front of it, there was no electricity or inside plumbing. Nevertheless, John and Bernice worked out an arrangement with the owners, whereby, with very little money down and small monthly payments, they were able to buy the cottage and land in 1938. Shady Glen Dairy Farm opened on June 12, 1948. Almost immediately, its 47 stools filled. Bernice ran the store and John managed the manufacturing.

Photo: Casey Barber

After much experimenting, Bernice invented the “Bernice Original” cheeseburger in 1949. What makes the Bernice Original unique as far as cheeseburgers are concerned is the way the cheese is prepared and presented: it is fried directly on the grill until it has four crisp corners, or wings, and these protrude far out from under the top bun like a crown when the burger is served.

Now owned by William & Amy Hoch, Shady Glen continues to be a Manchester institution, locally famous for its homemade ice cream, signature “Bernice Original” cheeseburger, vintage 1950s style diner and service. In 2012, it was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as an American Classic.

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CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL 2023

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2023 CRAZIES FINALISTS VENDOR OF THE YEAR Box 8 Creative - New Haven Earth’s Palate Farm - Warren Litchfield Distillery - Litchfield Seacoast Mushrooms - Mystic

CATERER OF THE YEAR

presented by Powerstation Events Café Louise - West Hartford CT Cocktail Car - New Haven The Eatery - Wallingford ONTHEMARC - Norwalk The Tasty Yolk - Stratford/Bridgeport/Fairfield

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR

presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc Shannon Ciralli | Market Place Kitchen & Bar - Avon Frank Dean | 1928 Cocktail Club - Branford Ryan Pelletier | West Street Grill - Litchfield Sam Reyes | Mariposa Taqueria - Danbury Victoria Tenzyk | The Mariner - Mystic

SERVER OF THE YEAR presented by Skrewball

Erin Harrington | Engine Room - Mystic Melanie Pabon | The Cottage - Westport Erind Qazimi | Mill on the River - South Windsor Nina Smith | Vinted - West Hartford Meghan Zampedri | Fair Haven Oyster - New Haven

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You all deserve some recognition We're proud to be celebrating the exceptional talent of the Connecticut Hospitality Community. Your heart and dedication build stronger communities and create memorable experiences every day.

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2023 CRAZIES FINALISTS PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR Franck Iglesias | Foxwoods Resort Casino - Mashantucket Melissa Knauer | The Benjamin - Ridgefield Jessica Spivey | Oyster Club - Mystic Whang Suh | Hen & Heifer - Guilford Kim Hoàng Wood | le Banh Patisserie - Simsbury

PEOPLE’S CHOICE Elm Street Diner - Stamford Garden Catering - Multiple Locations J. Timothy’s Taverne - Plainville Rein’s Deli - Vernon Willimantic Brew Pub - Willimantic

RESTAURANT NEWCOMER presented by Brescome Barton

29 Markle Ct - Bridgeport Esh - Fairfield Fire by Forge - Hartford Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar - New Haven Trigo Wood Fired Pizza - Willimantic

CHEF OF THE YEAR

presented by Performance Foodservice David DiStasi | Materia Ristorante - Bantam Macarena Ludena | Coracora - West Hartford David Standridge | The Shipwright’s Daughter - Mystic Jeff Taibe | Taproot - Norwalk Colt Taylor | The Essex & Los Charros Cantina - Old Saybrook/Branford

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2023 CRAZIES FINALISTS RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR presented by Sysco

LITCHFIELD COUNTY

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Arethusa al tavolo - Bantam

Good Old Days - Newtown

At the Corner - Litchfield

L’Ostal - Darien

Materia Ristorante - Bantam

Taproot - Norwalk

HARTFORD COUNTY

NEW HAVEN COUNTY

The Charles - Wethersfield

Hindsight BBQ - Waterbury

Coracora - West Hartford

Strega - Milford

Union Kitchen - West Hartford

Tavern on State - New Haven

TOLLAND COUNTY

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza - Tolland

The Essex - Old Saybrook

Sichuan Pepper - Vernon

Grano Arso - Chester

Trattoria da Lepri - Ellington

Osa - Middletown

WINDHAM COUNTY

NEW LONDON COUNTY

85 Main - Putnam

La Belle Aurore - Niantic

Elizabeth’s Farmhouse - Putnam

Port of Call - Mystic

Stone Row Kitchen + Bar - Willimantic

Via Emilia - Mystic

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CHEF FOUNDATION

The Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation (CHEF) is the non-profit 501(c)3, philanthropic arm of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA). Its mission is to promote the health and prosperity of Connecticut’s hospitality industry through education, scholarships and financial assistance. CHEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry.

EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY CHEF’s cornerstone program, ProStart, is a two-year, nationwide program that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders. ProStart serves more than 3,000 Connecticut high school students each year through a curriculum designed by the National Restaurant Association, and culminates with the Connecticut ProStart Invitational. Winning teams compete at the National ProStart Invitational, with students from all 50 states, Guam and Washington, DC.

RESTAURANT READY: WORK READINESS CHEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to bring the Restaurant Ready program to Connecticut. Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic work and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the hospitality industry and jumpstart a pathway to independence. ​ ​Additionally, we work to create apprenticeships, offer professional development opportunities for our members and promote the restaurant industry as a viable career path. ​

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2023 PROSTART NATIONAL CHAMPIONS PROSTART RECOGNITION presented by The Hartford

In May 2023, Wilbur Cross High School placed 1st in the nation in the Restaurant Management Competition at the 2023 National ProStart Invitational down in Washington, DC. ProStart is the nation’s premier high school culinary arts and restaurant management competition. The Wilbur Cross team represented the state of Connecticut, joining 92 teams from across the country to vie for top high school culinary and restaurant management honors, as well as nearly $200,000 in scholarships to support students’ future aspirations in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Wilbur Cross High students Charlotte Buterbaugh, Paulette Jara, Adam Sharqawe and Jailyn Gonzalez as the team manager presented the restaurant concept Nafas Kitchen—a casual West Asian restaurant that is a place for advocacy, change and community. Menu items are inspired from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan and the restaurant concept also addresses workforce staffing shortages that face the restaurant industry across the country by working with their local refugee services to provide culinary training and a pipeline to employment. The team had to present their business proposal to the judges through a series of “Shark Tank” like interactions where they were asked to elaborate on their concept, menu, how they would market the restaurant and think quickly on their feet to answer a variety of critical thinking questions.

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Minuteman Press of Hartford supports the

Connecticut Restaurant Association Mailing Printing Marketing Branded Promotional Products

Design Services Branded Apparel

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For the most welcomed consumers, for the best restaurants


Congratulations to the 2023 CRAZIES HONOREES!

Nicole R. Griffin Kevin A. Hill Charles J. Kowaleski www.lobbyct.com P.O. Box 1239, Middlebury, CT 06762

Congratulates The CRAzies Nominees & Winners!

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all of Connecticut’s restaurant personnel, restaurants and bars for your continued dedication to making our state’s hospitality industry second to none.


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Honored to be nominated among the extremely talented CRAzies community!

Vintage Feel, Modern Taste.

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