The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) held its annual meeting and “Salute to Excellence” awards dinner on November 29, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Ballroom. The event honored many of Connecticut’s restaurants, caterers, chefs and bartenders with more than 400 people attending.
Dan Meiser, proprietor of both Oyster Club and Engine Room, was recognized as the Restaurateur of the Year. Rogo Distributors of East Hartford was awarded Vendor of the Year, and State Senator Len Fasano was named CRA’s Friend of the Industry. Saybrook Point Inn Marina and Spa and Max Restaurant Group were both inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame.
Awards from CRA’s online public voting efforts included Server of the Year, Julie Francini of Restaurant Bricco; Casual Restaurant of Year, Plan B Burger Bar; Upscale Restaurant of the Year, The Capital Grille Hartford; Caterer of the Year, Coastal Gourmet Catering; Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) Mixologist of the Year, Mike Knudsen of the Hartford Restaurant Group; and Chef of the Year, which was a tie between Nicola Mancini of La Tavola and James Wayman of Oyster Club. Red 36 of Mystic was awarded Restaurant Newcomer of the Year. Larry Cafero, Executive Director of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut (WSWC), served as event emcee.
“As I wrap up my first year as Executive Director, I am thrilled and proud of the CRA’s growth in just one short year. With a dedicated Board of Directors and hardworking staff, we have been able to achieve above and beyond the goals set forth earlier this year,” said Sarah Maloney, Executive Director. “It’s an unbelievable honor to be in the same room with such talent and passion for our industry.” The Connecticut Restaurant Association’s mission is to serve as the voice of Connecticut’s restaurants in advocacy, education and awareness. It is affiliated with the National Restaurant Association, and is Connecticut’s only not-for-profit representing the state’s restaurant industry.
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- Dan Meiser, 2017 CRA Vice Chairman, Proprietor of Oyster Club and Engine Room and Restaurateur of the Year; Anthony Sullo of Joey Garlic’s and 2017 CRA Chairman of the Board; and Sarah Maloney, Executive Director, CRA. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Phil Barnett, Immediate Past Chairman, CRA and Sarah Maloney, Executive Director, CRA. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Larry Cafero, Executive Director of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut, served as the Master of Ceremonies during the 2016 Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner and Nicole Griffin, Partner, Powers, Brennan & Griffin. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- All from Brescome Barton: Brian Federman, Cara Passarelli and Ed Dunn.
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- Max Moss of Keel Vodka.
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- Jude Malone, Executive Director, Connecticut Beer Wholesalers Association and Clem Sayers, General Manager, Rogo Distributors.
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- All with CRA’s Vendor of the Year, Rogo Distributors: Clem Sayers, General Manager; Steve Hayes, Sales Representative; and Bill Hannon, Sales Manager.
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- Michael Marchetti, Columbus Park Trattoria; Jennifer Marchetti, Columbus Park Trattoria; Crissy Peterson, Select Brands Manager, Hartley & Parker, Ltd.; Telmo Penaloza, Columbus Park Trattoria; Cecilia Cabrera, Columbus Park Trattoria. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Northeast Director Abbi Miller and Ed Goll, both of Real McCoy Rum, offered guests sample cocktails with an original recipe crafted by Dan Meiser of Oyster Club and Engine Room, who was recognized as the Restaurateur of the Year.
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- Darren Hongo, Field Sales Manager, CDI; Michael Copeland, Manager, CDI; Mike Evans, Division Manager, CDI; Rep. David J. Rutigliano, Connecticut General Assembly; Peter Apotrias, Field Sales Manager, CDI; Tamara Ferrara, Sales, CDI; Alyssa Esber, Sales, E. & J. Gallo Winery
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- All of Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI): Mike Evans, Division Manager; Pete Kawulicz, Business Manager; Sandra Terenzio, Portfolio Manager Moet Hennessy; and Paul Mazurek, Manager.
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- Finalists for Mixologist of the Year included Aaron Stepka, Millwrights Restaurant and Tavern; Mike Knudsen, Hartford Restaurant Group; and Chris Parrott, Little River Restoratives. Knudsen was named the winner by public vote.
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- Mike Knudsen, Hartford Restaurant Group, 2016 Bartender of the Year. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Julie Francini, Restaurant Bricco, Server of the Year. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Len Fasano, Connecticut General Assembly State Senator, was named a CRA Friend of the Industry, pictured with award presenter Connecticut General Assembly Representative David J. Rutigliano. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Richard Rosenthal, Founder and President, Max Restaurant Group. The Max Restaurant Group was inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame during the 2016 Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- The Capital Grille was named 2016 Upscale Restaurant of the Year. The Capital Grille’s Nick Santangelo, Dining Room Manager; Nick Gianfredi, Executive Chef and Partner; Kathy Rice, Sales Manager; David Contino, Managing Partner. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Red 36 of Mystic was named the 2016 Restaurant Newcomer of the Year. Owner Angela Kanabis holds the award. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Shawn Skehan and Al Gamble of Plan B Burger Bar, which was named 2016 Casual Restaurant of the Year. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- James Wayman, Chef, Oyster Club and Nicola Mancini, Chef, La Tavola. Wayman and Mancini shared the honor of 2016 Chef of the Year. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Coastal Gourmet Catering, Caterer of the Year: Kimberly Aubin, Sales and Event Manager; Jenna Landon, Sales and Event Manager; Andrew Fine, Executive Catering Chef; Michael Ferriera, Director of Sales and Catering. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- Rogo Distributors was named Vendor of the Year. Rogo Distributors is a division of Allan S. Goodman, Inc. Shown are: Scott LaBelle, Kevin Byrnes, Steve Hayes, Paul Githmark, Steve Ogren, Clem Sayers, Bill Hannon, Dave Heller and Eric Lemieux. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
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- All from the Saybrook Point Inn Marina and Spa: Peter Marshall, Beverage Manager; Gese Rodriguez, Chef de Cuisine; Tim McDonaugh, Assistant Restaurant Manager; Jaime Jones, Lead Server/Trainer; John Lombardo, General Manager; Viola Tagliatela; Stephen Tagliatela, Owner; Anna Lacoletti, Fresh Salt Manager; Donna Michaud, Catering Director; Nancy Tighe, Server. Saybrook Point Inn Marina and Spa was inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame. Photo by Brian Ambrose.
