2026 CRAZIES AWARDS NOMINATING PANEL Panel Selection, Requirements, and Guidelines
Panel Selection • • •
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Potential panelists are reviewed and selected annually by CRHA sta8, and panelist participation is solely on a volunteer basis. The Nominating Panel shall include a range of professionals with di8erent backgrounds and broadly representing all parts of Connecticut. Panelists may include food writers, restaurant/food reviewers, culinary professionals, media personalities, social media influencers, hospitality media publishers/editors, or other industry professionals. Panelists must formally accept an invitation to serve on the nominating panel each year by providing digital acceptance of panelist rules and requirements. Panelists (including their family members) may NOT be nominated. In addition, a panelist cannot participate in the discussion of a nominee, nor may they vote in the specific category, if they are employed by or have a close relationship with a potential finalist. The nominating panel may not include any CRHA Board or CHEF Board Members. The CRHA is committed to maintaining the integrity of the Awards and reserves the right to add or remove panelists at any time.
Panelist Requirements • • • •
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Must attend at least two scheduled panelist calls / virtual meetings. Must attend in-person nominating luncheon, or they must notify of their conflict in advance. Must submit nominations form and final votes by deadline. Must make a dedicated e8ort throughout the year to visit, experience, follow and dine at new or existing restaurants (or food service businesses) with the purpose of bringing feedback to the nominating panel. Panelists are encouraged to promote the CRAZIES Awards via various communications channels such as social media, including by collaborating with or tagging CRAZIES Awards accounts. Opportunities to share or promote include the opening of public nominations, CRAZIES Kicko8 event, announcement of Finalists and Honorees, Final Voting timeframe, promotion of finalists, CRAZIES Awards and After Party, and winners. Panelists must be familiar with the Award Selection Process and must refer people to the document if asked about the nominations, panel, or award selection process. Panelists are encouraged to attend the CRAZIES Kicko8 and CRAZIES Awards. CRHA reserves the right to o8er complimentary tickets for panelists to attend CRAZIES Awards. Complimentary tickets do not have monetary value and cannot be applied toward purchased tables or tickets. CRHA cannot guarantee seating requests.
Last revised July 2026