The Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA), in collaboration with the Connecticut Wedding Group, hosted a Cocktail Reception and Culinary Tour at The Barns at Wesleyan Hills in Middletown on Sept. 23. Organized by the CRA Board of Directors and sponsored by Eder Bros., Inc., Allan S. Goodman and Slocum & Sons, the event featured cuisine from venues across Connecticut: Bar Bouchée, Carbone’s Hospitality, Coracora, Arethusa Farm, Grano Arso, Marygold’s On Main, The Foundry, Faddy’s Donuts & Ice Cream, Chef Prasad, Haring’s and Tate’s. Guests paired small plates with beverages from Litchfield Distillery, Counter Weight Brewing Co., Samuel Adams, Kent Falls Brewing Co., Hartford Distributors, Inc., and New England Brewing Co. BBJ La Tavola provided the linens for the evening. Proceeds from the event benefited the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Advocacy Fund, an organization working to protect and promote local and state policy interests within the restaurant industry.
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- Yvette Tavares, VP of Sales and Operations, Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA); Doug Polistena, Owner, The Amber Room Colonnade and Member, Board of Directors, CRA; Mike Whatley, VP of State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association; Christina Fitzgerald, Member, Board of Directors, CRA; Scott Dolch, President and CEO, CRA; Tim Adams, Co-owner, J. Timothy’s Taverne; and Jonathan Jennings, Executive Vice President/COO, Connecticut Wedding Group and Member, Board of Directors CRA.
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- All of Connecticut Wedding Group: Steve Lisitano, Vice President of Operations; Cate LaVigne, Wedding Planner; Jonathan Jennings, Executive Vice President/COO and Member, Board of Directors CRA; Michelle Moody, General Manager; Mike Donavan, Executive Chef; Mary Schilling, Wedding Coordinator; Tom McDowell, Founder; and Vanessa Pizzoferrato, Bar Manager.
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- Mike Whatley, VP of State Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy, National Restaurant Association and Scott Dolch, President and CEO, CRA.
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- Doug Polistena, Owner, The Amber Room Colonnade and Member, Board of Directors, CRA; Yvette Tavares, VP of Sales and Operations, CRA; and Gene Sepe, CEO/President, Brescome Barton.
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- Jeff Conelius, In-House Brown-Forman Portfolio Development Specialist, Allan S. Goodman.
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- Scott Randall, Sales Manager, Slocum & Sons.
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- Tia Hrusa, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery.
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- All from Connecticut Wedding Group: Jonathan Jennings, Executive Vice President/COO and Member, Board of Directors, CRA; Kerri-Anne White; and Tom McDowell, Founder.
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- Lisa Marcantonio, Sliders Restaurant Group; Jennifer Swerdlick, Principal, Restaurant Equipment Paradise; and Yvette Tavares, VP of Sales and Operations, CRA.
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- All from The Wharf Restaurant at Madison Beach Hotel unless otherwise indicated: Lou Carrier, President, Distinctive Hospitality Group; Trina Gallo, Restaurant Manager; John Mathers, General Manager; and Mike Mills, Lead Bartender.
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- Matt Ambrose and Vinnie Carbone, Carbone’s Hospitality.
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- Guests enjoyed cuisine from venues across Connecticut.
Photos by Sydney Broadbent, Connecticut Wedding Group.
