The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) held its annual “Salute to Excellence” awards dinner at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center on December 2, 2014. Master of Ceremonies was a past “Friend of the Industry Award” recipient, The Honorable Larry Cafero, State Representative, CT General Assembly. UCONN Women’s Basketball Coach, Restaurateur and Wine Entrepreneur Geno Auriemma, was the keynote speaker.
The following individuals and businesses were honored: James Martin, 85 Main as Restaurateur of the Year; Lenny’s Indian Head, inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame; Peppercorn’s, inducted into Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame; Falvey Linen for Vendor of the Year; and the Honorable John McKinney, State Senator, Connecticut General Assembly, Friend of the Industry.
The annual event also included recognizing talent from the Connecticut restaurant scene with public online voting for Upscale Restaurant of the Year, Restaurant Bricco; Casual Restaurant of the Year, Dog Watch Café in Stonington; Chef of the Year, Tyler Anderson of Millwright’s; Caterer of the Year, A Thyme to Cook; Mixologist of the Year, Dereke Vitale; and new to the event this year was the Server of the Year award, which went to Nancy Tighe of Fresh Salt at the Saybrook Point Inn.
Hundreds of guests enjoyed prepared cocktails made by mixologist of the year finalists with Roca Patrón and Belvedere RED, provided by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) as well as a lively awards ceremony.
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- Phil Barnett, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CRA and Partner in the Hartford Restaurant Group (HRG), which includes the Wood-n-Tap Restaurants, Agave and T.D. Homer’s; James Martin of 85 Main in Putnam and 2014 Restaurateur of the Year; and Nicole Griffin, Executive Director of the CRA.
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- Keynote Speaker Geno Auriemma.
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- Heineken beer was served from the new BrewLock system, as featured in The Beverage Journal’s June cover story. Shown is Heineken’s Matt Redman, Jim Stack, HDI and Heineken’s Connecticut On Premise Manager, William Grattan.
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- Robin Ungaro and Christopher Conlin, owner Lenny’s Indian Head Inn. Lenny’s was named to the Hospitality Hall of Fame along with Peppercorn’s Grill.
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- Winner for Mixologist of the Year Derek Vitale, Max’s Oyster Bar.
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- Amanda Pekar, Portfolio Manager, Patrón Spirits, CDI; Edgar Garcia, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, CDI; and Brian Albenze, President, CDI. CDI sponsored the 2014 Mixologist of the Year component.
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- Billy DiCrosta and Finalist for Chef of the Year and “Singing Chef” from Jojoto Restaurant, Neil Fuentes. Renato Donzelli of Basso Café and Jean-Pierre Vuillerment of Union League Café were also finalists.
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- Winner of Chef of the Year, Millwright’s Tyler Anderson and Dan Meiser, Owner of The Oyster Club and The Engine Room in Mystic.
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- Finalist for Mixologist of the Year, Adam Patrick of Match and Jeff Marron, Bar Manager at leFarm in Westport.
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- Mary Bowler of The Red Hen Restaurant in Old Saybrook, 2014 Mixologist of the Year finalist.
Photos by Brian Ambrose, courtesy of Connecticut Restaurant Association.
