CRA Hosts Annual CRAZIES Awards Gala

The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its annual CRAZIES Awards for approximately 1,450 industry professionals, friends and family members at Foxwoods Resort Casino on Dec. 9. Dozens of awards recognized the efforts of the state’s food and beverage professionals. The event kicked off with a cocktail hour followed by a speech by Gov. Ned Lamont. Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough of Noank and Hartford’s Red Rock Tavern were both inducted into the Hospitality Hall of Fame. Eli Hawli and Sam DeVellis of Market Hospitality Group were honored as Restaurateurs of the Year. Suzie Johnson of Fire by Forge was awarded Bartender of the Year. A panel of more than 35 food writers, critics, bloggers and social media influencers convened with over 25,000 online participants to vote across all categories. The event was sponsored by Sysco; GoNation; Powerstation Events; Foxwoods Resort Casino; Performance Foodservice; Allan S. Goodman; Brescome Barton; Connecticut Distributors, Inc.; Eder Bros., Inc.; DoorDash; US Foods; Opici Family Distributing; Slocum & Sons; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; The Chefs’ Warehouse; and dozens of supporting sponsors and partners and benefited the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the CRA.

: Scott Dolch, President and CEO, Connecticut Restaurant Association and Larry Cafero, Event Emcee and Executive Director, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut.

: Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame: Red Rock Tavern, Hartford.

: Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame: Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank.

: Lifetime Achievement Award: Edward “Bud” F. O’Donnell Jr., Esq., Siegel, O’Connor, O’Donnell & Beck, P.C. flanked by wife Jayne O’Donnell and CRA’s Scott Dolch. He was presented his award the night before at the CRA Board dinner, hosted at David Burke Prime in Foxwoods Resort Casino.