Connecticut Restaurant Association Ends Year with Awards Gala

The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its annual reception and awards gala, renamed the CRAzies, on December 3, 2018, at the Foxwoods Resort Casino Grand Pequot Ballroom. The celebration recognized dozens among association state members of restaurants, bars, allied services, bartenders and chefs, with approximately 600 guests in attendance. Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) Bartender of the Year nominees prepared and showcased cocktails using Patrón Tequila and Elyx Vodka during a showcase of service vendors. Wholesaler event and table sponsors included Allan S. Goodman, Brescome Barton, CDI, Eder Bros, Inc. and Hartley & Parker among the many food and allied service sponsors including title sponsor Sysco. The awards dinner followed, where Scott Dolch, CRA’s Executive Director, welcomed guests with Larry Cafero, Executive Director of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, who served as the event emcee. CRA’s annual gala also recognized the 2019 Board of Directors and offered a BMI-sponsored performance by country music artist and Massachusetts native Lena Stone. Joe DaCosta Memorial Scholarships were awarded to the Wilbur Cross ProStart National Champions. Alan Rosenblatt, President, Sysco Connecticut, gave a presentation honoring the late industry veteran Joe DeCosta, who also served on the CRA Board of Directors. The scholarships were renamed in his honor as part of the Connecticut Hospitality Education Foundation (CHEF) annual efforts.

: New awards for CRAZies recipients were created by Andrew Watson Designs out of Vancouver, British Columbia.

: Scott Dolch, Executive Director, Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) and Larry Cafero, Executive Director, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut (WSWC).

: New CRA Membership Director Yvette Tavares and Ameriprise Financial’s Billy Grant IV.

: CRA Executive Director Scott Dolch; Country music artist Lena Stone; CRA Chairman Dan Meiser; and BMI Industry Relations Executive Director Jessica Frost.

: Scott Dolch, Executive Director, CRA welcomes the 600 industry guests to the 2018 CRAzies.

: Country music artist Lena Stone performed at the 2018 CRAzies.

: 2018 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame Inductee presented by Subway: The Griswold Inn in Essex, Owners Doug and Joan Paul.

: 2018 Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame Inductee presented by Subway: The Place Restaurant in Guilford, Vaughn and Gary Knowles.

: 2018 Restaurateur of the Year presented by Datapay Payroll: Doro Restaurant Group, Scott Miller and Dorjan Puka.

: 2018 Vendor the Year: The Chefs’ Warehouse of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Jacob Hamilton, Account Executive and Tim Hallama, Sales Director, accepting the award.

: 2018 Friend of the Industry: The Honorable Joan Hartley (D), CT State Senator, 15th District, Waterbury, Middlebury and Naugatuck (right) with Nicole Griffin, Powers, Brennan & Griffin, LLC (left).

: 2018 Chef of the Year presented by Performance Foodservice: Chef de Cuisine Mike Voight with award recipient Chef Chris Sheehan, Max Downtown in Hartford.