The annual Connecticut Restaurant Association event honors the state’s industry with annual meeting, reception and awards gala. The CRAZIES Awards Gala celebrates the “Best of the Best” in the Connecticut Restaurant Industry. The public will submit nominations for favorites in a variety of categories here until midnight on Friday, Sept. 13. For sponsorship and industry information, contact Yvette Tavares at 860.278.8008, ext .100 or email tavares@ctrestaurant.org. See more information and register here.

The Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA) will host its annual awards gala, rebranded as The Anchors Awards for Noteworthy Champions of Hospitality and Outstanding Restaurant Service at Bally’s Twin River in Lincoln. Everyone in the industry is invited to join RIHA for the evening to celebrate the best Rhode Island-based professionals in hospitality.
Nominations are now open on RIHA’s event page. Categories include Restaurant Employee of the Year, Tourism Employee of the Year, Bartender of the Year Emerging Leader of the Year and more, with two to three nominations allowed per category. Finalists are nominated by their bosses, co-workers and even their customers. Winners are voted on by the public and elected officials of the board and receive a trophy to take home.

The 12th Annual Rhode Island Brew Fest offers a celebration of American craft brewers with samples from 50+ breweries and over 200 styles of beer. All beverage samples are included with ticket. Access to food vendors and much more; every attendee will receive a custom glass as they exit the festival. The Rhode Island Brew Fest provides unlimited sampling of all attending breweries and purchases all beer directly from the breweries in order to support the craft brew industry and a portion of every ticket sold is donated to the Rhode Island Brewers Guild. The Rhode Island Brew Fest is a private, ticketed, 21+ event. No one without a ticket or under the legal age will be admitted, including minors, children, infants and babies.