These restaurant awards are Crazie

By Frank Whitman

The Crazies draw a crowd

Everyone loves awards, especially if they’re presented at an elaborate and glitzy celebration.   Think Oscars, Tonys and Emmys in the showbiz world, and you’ll get the idea. Awards are given in just about every industry, even if they’re not televised and there’s no red carpet.  The Connecticut restaurant industry is no exception, and you can be sure they know how to put on a party.

Best chef, best restaurant, best bartender and server – these are a few of the accolades given out by the Connecticut Restaurant Association at their annual celebration of the industry.  The honors, called the Crazies, are prestigious and highly prized. After all, they’re given by peers, and there’s no higher praise than that.

Governor Lamont addressed the crowd

And a celebration it is. 1500 folks from the restaurant biz gather in the ballroom at Foxwoods on a Monday evening for schmoozing with peers and congratulating the winners. It’s a gala evening with cocktails, a stunning dinner, speeches and even an afterparty – just like the Oscars. Owners, chefs, managers, and staff are joined by industry partners and elected officials to tip their hats at one another. 

The event supports the trade association and is a fundraiser for the Connecticut Hospitality Education Foundation (CHEF), but it’s also an awareness raiser. The list of restaurant nominees is the most popular page on the CtVisit.com website. And when the governor looks out from the speaker’s podium, he knows that this industry is a powerhouse. 

Nomination suggestions come from within the industry and from the public.  Input is encouraged.  After all, everyone who eats out has something to say about their favorite dining experience. Nominations are winnowed down to four or five finalists in each category.  They’re already closed for this year, but it’s not

Taproot, 2023 Fairfield County restaurant of the year.

too late to vote for the winners. Cast your vote on the CRA website.   

There’s a restaurant of the year for each of the eight Connecticut counties. Fairfield county candidates include Bar Rosina’s in Greenwich, Elm Restaurant in New Canaan, Esh in Fairfield and The Cottage in Westport – a pretty select group.

Statewide, there are eight classes. Server of the year, and bartender of the year give rare recognition to the hardworking but often anonymous front of the house staff. For 2024 Adrain Hurtado of Taco Guy in Norwalk is a bartender nominee.

Vendor of the year is for industry insiders. You might see Copps Island Oysters on menus but probably not Falvey Linen Supply. Still, restaurants are dependent on what comes in the back door and are glad to honor vendors.

Renee Touponce – Chef at The Port of Call in Mystic

Chef of the year and pastry chef of the year are hot groups. Local chefs this year include Michelle Greenfield of Allium Eatery in Westport and Damon Sawyer of 29 Markel Street in Bridgeport. Sadly, I haven’t been to either.  Melissa Knauer of The Benjamin in Ridgefield (well known for her delicious desserts) is nominated as best pastry chef.

Rounding out the categories are People’s Choice, including Grigg Street Pizza in Greenwich and Restaurant Newcomer locally represented by Athithi in Wilton.  The Crazies also induct long-standing restaurants into the Hospitality Hall of Fame and honor Restaurateurs of the year. 

Voting will close at the end of November. The banquet is on Monday, December 9 at Foxwoods, but I’m told it’s already sold out. 

The crew from Coracora – 2023 statewide Restaurant of the Year

Yvette Tavares of the CRA told me that of the roughly 4000 full-service restaurants in Connecticut, 97% are independently owned.  We’re lucky to have that level of diversity, creativity and quality all around us. Traveling beyond our borders, there is a sea of chain restaurants – good, but offering a sameness that we don’t endure here. 

The Crazie awards shine a spotlight on the Connecticut restaurant industry that serves us so well. Congratulations to all!