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TABLE OF CONTENTS About the CRA...................................................................................................7 Welcome from President & CEO .......................................................................9 CRA Chairman’s Message.................................................................................11 CHEF Chairman’s Message...............................................................................13 CRA Board of Directors....................................................................................15 CHEF Board of Directors..................................................................................17 Event Sponsors...............................................................................................19 Event Sponsors...............................................................................................21 Program...........................................................................................................25 Educator of Excellence - Laura Szczygiel.........................................................27 Community Impact Recognition - Kim Morrison & Jamie McDonald.................29 Friend of the Industry - Anthony M. Anthony ...................................................31 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame - Spartan Restaurant & Bar...................33 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame - Willimantic Brewing Company.............35 Restaurateur of the Year - Esaul Rodriguez......................................................37 Finalists - Vendor, Caterer, Bar & Beverage Team & Service Team.................39 Finalists - Pastry Chef, People’s Choice, Newcomer & Chef ...........................41 Finalists - County Restaurants of the Year .....................................................43 CT Hospitality Educational Foundation ..........................................................45

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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Congratulations

TO THE 2025 CRAZIES HONOREES, NOMINEES, AND WINNERS!

Best wishes on your continued success!

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CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

CRA Members uniting at a recent press conference

CRA STAFF Scott Dolch

Yvette M. Tavares

PRESIDENT & CEO dolch@ctrestaurant.org

VP OF SALES & OPERATIONS tavares@ctrestaurant.org

Jennifer Conkling-Schmitz

Liz Barry

FOUNDATION DIRECTOR conkling@ctrestaurant.org

MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS MANAGER barry@ctrestaurant.org

Shannon Murphy

Katie Gerber

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR murphy@ctrestaurant.org

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER gerber@ctrestaurant.org

Lexie Beauchamp

Sophia Andrade

EDUCATION & EVENT ASSISTANT beauchamp@ctrestaurant.org

LEGISLATIVE & EVENT ASSISTANT andrade@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 151,000 workers in Connecticut and generates $12.2 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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FINE WINES & SPIRITS

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.

WELCOME TO THE 2025 CRAZIES! The Connecticut Restaurant Association extends a warm and heartfelt welcome to all attendees of the 2025 CRAZIES Awards. As we gather tonight for the seventh annual celebration of excellence in Connecticut’s hospitality industry, I’m honored to share this remarkable evening with you.

The CRAZIES has grown into a unifying tradition, bringing together industry professionals, business owners, vendors and partners, government officials, as well as the friends, families, and supporters who make this community so strong. Year after year, Connecticut’s restaurants and hospitality professionals continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional service.

Looking ahead, our focus remains clear: to stand together as one industry.

I am thrilled to share that in 2026, the Connecticut Restaurant Association is expanding our membership to include hotels, broadening our hospitality network and welcoming new partners and opportunities, as well as a greater impact at the local, state and national levels.

This past year marked my first term on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors, and I am also proud to also serve as Chairman of the Council of State Restaurant Associations through 2026. The CSRA strengthens state associations through collaboration and collective influence, and I am committed to working alongside leaders nationwide to elevate advocacy, enhance communication, and advance our industry’s unified voice.

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, whose support makes the 2025 CRAZIES Awards Gala possible, and congratulations to all honorees and finalists. Tonight, we celebrate you, and the extraordinary contributions that make Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality community truly exceptional.

Thank you, and enjoy the evening!

Scott Dolch President & CEO

Connecticut Restaurant Association CT Hospitality Educational Foundation

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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CRA CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Welcome to the 2025 CRAZIES! As Chairman of the Connecticut Restaurant Association Board of Directors, I’m thrilled to welcome you all and extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and members for your support of the CRA. Your dedication fuels the CRA’s mission and strengthens our ability to advocate for this industry we all care so deeply about.

This year has been a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. The CRA continued to stand strong against harmful proposals: from predictive scheduling to additional industry taxes, while pushing forward proactive efforts like credit card interchange reform and the restoration of Connecticut’s tourism budget. I’m also proud to share a milestone we’ve long worked toward: the CRA will officially welcome hotels into our membership. This expansion strengthens our collective voice at the State Capitol and creates new opportunities for collaboration across the broader hospitality industry.

As I wrap up my final year as Chairman, I’m proud to pass leadership to Scott Miller, Chief Operating Officer of DORO Restaurant Group.

With his deep industry experience and service on both the CRA and CHEF Boards, the association is in exceptionally capable hands. It has been an honor to serve as CRA Chairman - thank you for the opportunity.

Tonight, we celebrate - here’s to an unforgettable evening and to a vibrant, successful 2026 for Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality community!

Keith Beaulieu Owner The Main Pub (Manchester, CT)

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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CHEF CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Welcome to the 2025 CRAZIES. Tonight, we’re here to celebrate the people who make Connecticut’s hospitality industry what it is. The CRAZIES isn’t just an awards show; it’s a chance to recognize the teams and individuals whose hard work, creativity, and grit keep this industry moving and make our communities stronger.

As Board Chair of the Connecticut Hospitality Education Foundation (CHEF), I get to see another side of that impact. Hospitality builds careers. It unlocks potential. It offers second chances.

Through programs like ProStart and Restaurant Ready, CHEF helps high school students and people facing significant barriers to employment get real skills, real experience, and real mentors. We’re not just training for jobs; we’re helping people step into a future they may not have thought was possible.

This year, we’re taking that work even further.

With support from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Growth Opportunities 5 grant, CHEF and the Connecticut Restaurant Association are partnering with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to launch the Hospitality Opportunities for People (Re)Entering Society (HOPES) program here in Connecticut.

HOPES will work with justice-involved young adults, ages 18–24, in Bridgeport— offering education, training, and hands-on experience that leads to meaningful work in our industry.

This is what hospitality at its best looks like: opening doors, building confidence, and creating real pathways to long-term success. Our industry has always been a place where people can grow, reinvent themselves, and find purpose. Because of your support, that story keeps unfolding.

To all of tonight’s finalists and honorees: congratulations. We’re proud of you, we’re cheering for you, and we’re glad you’re part of this industry.

Ben Dubow Executive Director Forge City Works

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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VICE CHAIRMAN Scott Miller DORO Restaurant Group

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2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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Scott Miller DORO Restaurant Group

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FIRST COURSE FRIEND OF THE INDUSTRY - Anthony M. Anthony CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME - Spartan Restaurant & Bar presented by GoNation

VENDOR OF THE YEAR

presented by Pullman & Comley

CATERER OF THE YEAR

presented by Powerstation Events

BAR & BEVERAGE TEAM OF THE YEAR presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc

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presented by Eder-Goodman, Slocum & Sons

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SECOND COURSE COUNTY RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR Litchfield | Fairfield | Hartford | New Haven presented by Sysco

CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME - Willimantic Brewing Company presented by GoNation

CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION RECOGNITION PROSTART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR - Laura Szczygiel COMMUNITY IMPACT - Kim Morrison & Jamie McDonald COUNTY RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR Tolland | Middlesex | Windham | New London presented by Sysco

THIRD COURSE PEOPLE’S CHOICE presented by Foxwoods

RESTAURANT NEWCOMER presented by Toast

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR - Esaul Rodriguez | Puerto Vallarta presented by US Foods

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2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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2025 EDUCATOR OF EXCELLENCE LAURA SZCZYGIEL Norwich Free Academy

Laura Szczygiel, an educator at Norwich Free Academy, has been named the 2025 Connecticut ProStart Educator of Excellence, recognizing her outstanding commitment to culinary education and her students.

Since Norwich Free Academy joined the ProStart program in 2023, Laura has quickly immersed herself in the curriculum and made an immediate impact. In just her second year, she successfully led two student teams to the CT ProStart Invitational, with one team securing third place. Beyond the classroom, she dedicated personal time, secured funding, and ensured her students had the tools and support needed to compete.

This award serves as a testament to her impact and commitment to the next generation of culinary professionals in Connecticut. Congratulations Laura!

DATAPAY PAYROLL PROUDLY SUPPORT THE CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS! All of us at Datapay Payroll would like to wish all Connecticut restaurants a terrific holiday season and a prosperous New Year! Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the endorsed payroll provider for the CRA.

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Connecticut was center stage TWICE at this year’s Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards!

Jamie McDonald, co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, was awarded the My Journey Award, and Kim Morrison, co-owner of Beanz & Co, won the Inclusion Innovator Award!

Hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards spotlight the restaurant and foodservice industry’s role in cultivating leaders who prioritize people and purpose. Honorees were recognized across categories that celebrate careerbuilding for individuals of all backgrounds, investment in local communities, and personal journeys that create opportunity for others.

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State of Connecticut’s Chief Marketing Officer As Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Connecticut, Anthony M. Anthony leads the Office of Statewide Marketing & Tourism. Under his leadership, food has become a strategic driver of tourism, elevating Connecticut’s culinary community as a pillar of the state’s identity.

Through bold, story-driven campaigns, Anthony and his team have helped Connecticut’s restaurant industry reach national—and even global—audiences. They declared Connecticut “The Pizza Capital of the U.S.” and “Foodie Capital of New England” with new “Welcome to Connecticut” highway signs, launched the Connecticut Oyster Trail and Pizza Trail, and produced cinematic short films spotlighting chefs and makers across the state. One of these films, Rising Tide to Table, about Connecticut’s oyster farmers and food service community, won Achievement in Directing (Documentary) at the Bridgeport Film Festival.

These efforts have done more than celebrate food—they’ve driven results.

Connecticut’s pizza campaign alone generated 17 billion earned media impressions, 4,000+ stories worldwide, a 68% increase in Google searches for “Connecticut pizza,” and 17.5% more tourism from NYC. Long-distance visitation (500–3,000 miles) is up 37%, and average trip length has grown 18%—proof that great meals make great memories.

For Anthony, this work is personal. His great-grandfather opened a restaurant after immigrating to the U.S. in the early 1900s. His father owned several restaurants, and one of Anthony’s earliest memories is walking through his dad’s sports bar at age two—tiny hands full of buffalo wings. Today, that same passion for hospitality and storytelling drives his mission to make Connecticut a place where every restaurant, chef, and creator can thrive.

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL THE HONOREES WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE THE PASSSION, DEDICATION, AND EXCELLENCE OF CONNECTICUT'S RESTAURANT COMMUNITY. YOUR COMMITMENT TO HOSPITALITY, HARD WORK, AND CREATIVITY CONTINUES TO ELEVATE OUR INDUSTRY AND INSPIRE US ALL.

WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT

Strength. Tradition. Excellence.

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CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME presented by GoNation

SPARTAN RESTAURANT & BAR Waterbury

Founded in 1977 by Athan and Demetra “Toula” Kaloidis, Spartan Restaurant & Bar has been a cornerstone of the Waterbury community for nearly five decades. What began as a small family dream grew into one of the city’s most beloved dining establishments — a place where good food, family, and tradition come together under one roof.

Athan and Toula, Greek immigrants with a deep respect for hard work and hospitality, opened Spartan with a simple but powerful vision: to serve honest food and treat every guest like family. The name “Spartan” was chosen with intention, as a proud reflection of their heritage. It symbolized the strength, discipline, and resilience that defined both their Greek roots and their American journey.

Today, that legacy continues through the leadership of Vasilios “Vasi” Kaloidis, son of Athan and Toula, who proudly carries forward the values his parents instilled. Vasilios has honored their original vision while thoughtfully evolving the restaurant to meet the tastes and expectations of a new generation.

Under his guidance, Spartan remains a cherished part of the Waterbury community.

Athan sadly passed away in 2008, but his spirit endures in every corner of the restaurant he helped build: in the recipes, in the sense of welcome, and in the generations of guests who continue to call Spartan their home away from home.

Over the decades, Spartan Restaurant & Bar continued to evolve, expanding its menu and its space. From its signature Greek-style pan pizza to the addition of a banquet room that welcomed countless community celebrations, Spartan became a gathering place woven into the daily life of Waterbury.

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME presented by GoNation

WILLIMANTIC BREWING COMPANY Willimantic

The Willimantic Brewing Company is a living landmark in the heart of northeastern Connecticut.

Located on Main Street in downtown Willimantic, what began as a neighborhood café has evolved into one of the region’s most recognizable brewery destinations, drawing locals, visitors, and craft beer lovers alike.

The Willimantic Brewing Company story begins with the original Main Street Café, founded in April 1991. Initially a small deli serving gourmet ice cream and coffees from the lobby of the historic Capitol Theatre, the operation quickly outgrew its 50-seat space. The café moved briefly to another spot on Main Street in 1994, before moving again in 1997 to its current location - a historic 1909 U.S. Post Office Building that had laid vacant for nearly 30 years.

Remnants of post office memorabilia have been preserved and remain in the restaurant to this day.

As a brewer-owned brewery, Willimantic Brewing Company has played an essential role in shaping Connecticut’s craft beer landscape. Over the years, they’ve welcomed dozens of aspiring brewers into their brewhouse - many of whom have since launched successful breweries of their own.

Creativity and community spirit run through every corner of the pub, perhaps most famously showcased during the annual Willimantic Boom Box Parade. The Willibrew crew is known for hand-building and painting extraordinary parade floats, often featuring elaborate paper mâché figures and themed designs inspired by classics like Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz and local heroes. Many of these creations now live on throughout the restaurant.

Now celebrating more than 34 years in downtown Willimantic, owner David Wollner and the entire Willibrew team welcome visitors to discover the brewery’s living history, and the community that continues to inspire it.

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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SUPPORTING LOCAL RESTAURANTS. SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY.

US Foods® is one of America’s great food companies and a leading supplier to restaurants and foodservice operators. Working with food people and the communities they serve is our passion, and we understand the importance of making a positive impact where we live and work. US Foods is proud to help chefs and restaurateurs in communities across the country make it every day.

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR presented by US Foods

ESAUL RODRIGUEZ

Puerto Vallarta Restaurants Esaul Rodriguez, co-owner of Puerto Vallarta Restaurants in Connecticut, has brought a little of his birthplace, Jalisco, Mexico, to Connecticut. At age 16, speaking no English and with just six dollars in his pocket, he went to Seattle to work in his uncle’s Mexican restaurant.

He learned fast, moving from bus boy to waiter, to cook, to management. At age 21, Esaul opened his own Mexican restaurant in Oregon with his brother, Juan. Determined to share the culture and warmth of Mexico with more people, Esaul moved to the East Coast.

His vision: to create a place to truly experience Mexican culture.

In 1999, Esaul bought and transformed the former Edelweiss restaurant in West Hartford Center, opening his very first restaurant. Before long, people were lining up to eat at Puerto Vallarta. Over the coming years, Puerto Vallarta restaurants rapidly expanded across Connecticut: Newington in 2001, Middletown in 2003, Southington in 2004, Avon in 2006, Orange in 2012, Danbury in 2016, Fairfield in 2019, and Stamford in 2023. Puerto Vallarta restaurants were the first in the state to do table side guacamole, and the first restaurant of its style to carry prime cuts of meat such as tomahawk, rib eye and porterhouse steaks.

Esaul and the Rodriguez family are deeply committed to their communities, hosting numerous fundraisers each year to support local organizations and charities. Their restaurants also feature popular Vida Dinner Series that bring people together around food and culture. In recognition of their contributions, the family was inducted into the State of Connecticut’s Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame last year.

Esaul’s hard work, paired with a vision of creating a great, traditional Mexican cuisine experience, made his dream come true.

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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• PROUD SPONSORS OF THE CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION •

TO ALL 2025 CRAZIES HONOREES, NOMINEES & WINNERS

Connecticut Distributors, Inc. proudly celebrates your creativity, perseverance, and dedication to making our state’s hospitality industry thrive. Your passion continues to elevate the standard of excellence across Connecticut—cheers to all who make our restaurant community extraordinary.

Congratulations To All! THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT INDUSTRY!

2025 CRAZIES FINALISTS VENDOR OF THE YEAR

presented by Pullman & Comley Athletic Brewing Company | Milford Bella Bella Gourmet Foods | West Haven Nit Noi Provisions | Norwalk Restaurant Equipment Paradise | East Hartford Stonington Kelp Company | Stonington

CATERER OF THE YEAR

presented by Powerstation Events Bleu Catering | New Milford Distinctive Ideas | Bloomfield Nikki Glekas Collective | Norwalk Riverhouse Catering | Haddam Small Kitchen Big Taste | North Haven

BAR & BEVERAGE TEAM OF THE YEAR presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. Beauty & Essex | Mohegan Sun Drift | Essex Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour | Hartford I Know You Know | New Britain Perfusion Bar | Newtown

SERVICE TEAM OF THE YEAR

presented by Eder-Goodman, Slocum & Sons David Burke Prime | Foxwoods Gabriele’s of Westport | Westport Max’s Oyster Bar | West Hartford The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel | Madison Viron Rondo Osteria | Cheshire

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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Congratulations to all of tonight’s 2025 Honorees & Nominees

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2025 CRAZIES FINALISTS PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR presented by Clover

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PEOPLE’S CHOICE

presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino Dew Drop Inn | Derby Paul’s Pasta | Groton The Po Café | Washington Valencia Luncheria | Norwalk Woke Breakfast & Coffee | Coventry

RESTAURANT NEWCOMER presented by Toast

Bar Bushido | Norwalk Belden House | Litchfield The Foundry | Hartford The Laurel | West Hartford ROLi | New Haven

CHEF OF THE YEAR

presented by Performance Foodservice Ryan Carbone | Ore Hill & Swyft Ashley Flagg | The Laurel Bolivar Hilario | Community Table Johan Jensen | Whitecrest Eatery Christian Wilki | The Cottage

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

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Chefs swear by it.

Instead of at it.

pos.toasttab.com

2025 CRAZIES FINALISTS RESTAURANTS OF THE YEAR presented by Sysco

LITCHFIELD COUNTY

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Community Table | New Preston

29 Markle Ct | Bridgeport

Geppetto Osteria e Bisteccheria | Torrington

Allium Eatery | Westport

Lost Fox Inn | Litchfield

Çka ka Qëllu | Stamford

Materia Ristorante | Bantam

Restaurant L’Ostal | Darien

HARTFORD COUNTY

NEW HAVEN COUNTY

J. Gilbert’s | Glastonbury

Café Melba | Milford

Le Mazet | West Hartford

Fair Haven Oyster Co. | New Haven

Máncora Restobar | Hartford

Gioia Cafe & Bar | New Haven

Villa Mulino Ristorante | Avon

Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar | New Haven

TOLLAND COUNTY

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza | Tolland

The Essex | Old Saybrook

Ocho Rios Grill | Vernon

Grano Arso | Chester

PhoLy | Vernon

OSA | Middletown

Trattoria da Lepri | Ellington

River Tavern | Chester

WINDHAM COUNTY

NEW LONDON COUNTY

ANYA | Thompson

374 Kitchen + Cocktails | Niantic

The Harp on Church | Willimantic

Nana’s Bakery & PIzza | Mystic

Heirloom Food Company | Danielson

The Port of Call | Mystic

Trigo Wood Fired Pizza | Willimantic

Whitecrest Eatery | Stonington

OVERALL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

Each County Restaurant of the Year Winner will become a Finalist for the Overall Restaurant of the Year

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

43

CONNECTICUT HOSPITALITY EDUCATIONAL 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.

HOPES & RESTAURANT READY: WORK READINESS CHEF has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to bring the Hopes and Restaurant Ready program to Connecticut. These national programs are 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.

2025 CRAZIES AWARDS

45

jmg insurance corp E S T. 1 9 1 6

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Natural Gas | Electricity

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Flexible Purchasing Options

Customized Energy Strategies

Local Energy Expertise & Insight

Take Control of Your Electricity & Natural Gas Costs jswan@spragueenergy.com | 203.260.9791 | spragueenergy.com/cra

Minuteman Press of Hartford supports the

Connecticut Restaurant Association Mailing Printing Marketing Branded Promotional Products

Design Services Branded Apparel

quotes@hartfordminutemanpress.com 860.872.1826 | hartfordminutemanpress.com

Bring the one you love to the place you love.

Reserve:

860 526 9898 Chester, CT

CBIZ is proud to support the Connecticut Restaurant Association!

CBIZ.COM

Such an honor to be included in this group of talented nominees – good luck to everyone!

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE WHILE PROTECTING YOUR BOTTOM LINE

Ecolab is a proud sponsor of the Connecticut Restaurant Association Awards.

Cheers to the nominees and honorees!

opening doors to

opportunity

It takes balance.™ We’re proud to support the Connecticut Restaurant Association and the important role your organization plays in our community.

860-561-4000 West Hartford | Shelton CLAconnect.com

©2025 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

MillRestaurantGroup.com

ill Restaurant GroupABIGAIL’S GRILLE & WINE BAR

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

CAL’S WOOD FIRED GRILL & BAR

THE MILL ON THE RIVER

MARKET GRILLE

THE WAY IT SHOULD BE Chef-owned, family-driven, and proudly seed-oil free.

We cook the way we feed our own family: with care, integrity, and love in every plate.

WHITECREST EATERY THE BACK DOOR KITCHEN

OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY

ICE RENTAL EQUIPMENT THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO. Reliable ice, low start up costs, and zero repair worries — all with flexible rental options.

SIMPLE PROCESS Quick setup, easy contract, automatic payments.

COST-EFFECTIVE Low start up cost, installation included, no surprise repairs.

FLEXIBLE 36-month term, then month-to-month, upgrade or downsize anytime.

WORRY FREE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Regular service and filter changes included, stay running smoothly.

Get started today Call 800.755.5580

SCAN THE QR CODE TO CONTACT TRAVIS CONATY

Congratulations

2025 “CRAZIES” Honorees, Winners & Nominees Connecticut Restaurant Association members, we celebrate you!

Get connected to the local market resource from the state’s beer, wine and spirits wholesalers.

73 4

HOW BEER, WINE & SPIRITS GET TO THE MARKETPLACE

START YOUR ACCESS TODAY. www.thebeveragejournal.com/ct-comp-trade-offer/ Or call: 203.288.3375 ext.1001

kitchen + cocktails niantic

k n a ThYou

A COMMUNITY SPOT WITH

CITY SWAG

F OR N OM I N A T I N G US B ES T R ES T A U R A N T N EW LON D ON COU N T Y

and congratulations to all the other leaders in our industry

flanders fish market’s sister spot!

374KITCHENANDCOCKTAILS.COM

Congratulations to all of the Nominees!

From your friends at J. Timothy’s

CE L EB R AT E T H E H O L I DAYS WI T H

ITALIAN S T Y L E

®

CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY® ©2025 PERONI USA, MILWAUKEE, WI • BEER

VIVID

MARKETING AGENCY

Vivid Marketing is a boutique social media agency for hospitality brands.

We blend content creation, storytelling, strategy, and influencer collaborations to help restaurants and hotels grow their brand presence and connect with their audiences in memorable ways.

We offer full-service social media management, monthly content shoots, marketing strategy, and more!

vividmarketingco.com | @vividmarketingco

As an independent foodservice distributor, we deliver quality, reliability, and personal service to the independent restaurant operator—the heart of every community. We are proud to keep them thriving.

• Premium products from trusted brands and local suppliers • Fast, dependable delivery tailored to your schedule • Flexible solutions built around your unique menu and needs • A partner who values your independence as much as you do YOUR FOOD. YOUR GUESTS. YOUR VISION. We’re here to make it all happen—every day, every delivery.

20 INDUSTRY DRIVE • WEST HAVEN, CT 06516 203.931.3707 • SALES@CITYLINEFOODS.COM @CITYLINEFOODS

BREAD

& BEAST

Professional

Photography for the food service industry & publication

breadbeastphotographer.com

bread_and_beast

CHEF PRASAD WINNER OF CATERER OF THE YEAR 2024

CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO TO ALL ALL THE THE NOMINEES NOMINEES & & WINNERS WINNERS Chef Prasad, 62 Main St New Canaan, CT chefprasad.com

Gourmet United, 440 Sport Hill Rd, Easton, CT gourmetunited.com

Market Place Kitchen & Bar

Mercato IIalian Kitchen & Bar

Blu Pointe

e Wheel

Beso Taco Bar

CONNECTICUT

Market Place Tavern

Key Largo Fisheries

NEW YORK

FLORIDA

W W WW M A R K E T H O S P I TA L I T YG RO U PP C O M

Tell your story where it matters most.

Congratulations to the CRA and to all honorees, finalists, and winners at this year’s CRAZIES! www.intersectps.com

Lyman orchards Lyman orchards 1741 hard cider

1741: The year John and Hope Lyman settled in Central Connecticut and planted the seeds that would give rise to Lyman Orchards and to these delicious hard ciders.

Please drink responsibly.

Lyman Orchards | Middlefield, CT | lymanorchards.com Available for purchase at local package stores & restaurants!

Restaurant CPAs & Advisors Is Your Accountant Helping You Grow or Just File?

We Specialize in: • Advisory • Tax • Assurance

Congratulations to all the C ZIES AWARD WINNER S!

Best wishes with your continued success!

Vintage Feel, Modern Taste.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2025 CRAZIES AWARD WINNERS!

LUNCH • DINNER • HAPPY HOUR • PRIVATE EVENTS • CATERING 161 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT • 860.785.8499 • TheCharlesCT.com

Congratulations to the 2025 CRAZIES Finalists & Honorees!

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

Congratulations to all the 2025 Nominees!

1 Stacey Road | Danbury, CT | 06811 | 203-748-3800 | www.theamberroom.net Scan Here for a Glimpse!

Serving the neighborhoods where we work and live.

Eversource is proud to be a sponsor of the CRAZIES – Connecticut Restaurant Association’s annual awards event.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners for the lasting impact they’ve made on the restaurant industry.

Eversource.com

Serving Community Support Since 1825, Liberty Bank has helped to improve the lives of our customers, teammates, and the communities we serve.

We are delighted to partner with organizations like the Connecticut Restaurant Association that share our commitment, and help make our communities great places to live and work. We’re thrilled to sponsor the annual CRAZIES and help cook up opportunities for local talent to shine!

Member FDIC

Let Us Cook

CONGR AT U L AT IONS TO T H E 2025 NOMINEES A ND W INNER S

E X PER IENCE A DEST INAT ION L IK E NO OT HER. BOOK TODAY !