By Katie Gerber, Communications & Engagement Manager, Connecticut Restaurant Association

The CRAZIES are back for their seventh year of celebrating the exceptional ability and talent of Connecticut’s hospitality industry. What started out as a small awards dinner of a few hundred people has now scaled to the biggest statewide industry event of the year, gathering more than 1,500 guests for a night of celebration! On Monday, Dec. 8, hospitality owners, operators, chefs, industry staff and vendors from across the state will come together at Foxwoods Resort Casino to celebrate the success of their industry and honor winners across 20 categories. After a rigorous selection process, featuring public nominations, a group of statewide industry insiders and a panel of over 30 food writers, critics, bloggers and social media influencers, the 2025 honorees and finalists are here.

HONOREES

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR

• Esaul Rodriguez | Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Group

HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME

• Spartan Restaurant & Bar | Waterbury
• Willimantic Brewing Company | Willimantic

FRIEND OF THE INDUSTRY

• Anthony Anthony | Chief Marketing Officer for the State of Connecticut

FINALISTS

VENDOR OF THE YEAR

• Athletic Brewing Company | Milford
• Bella Bella Gourmet Foods | West Haven
• Nit Noi Provisions | Norwalk
• Restaurant Equipment Paradise | East Hartford
• Stonington Kelp Company | Stonington

CATERER OF THE YEAR

• Bleu Catering | New Milford
• Distinctive Ideas | Bloomfield
• Nikki Glekas Collective | Norwalk
• Riverhouse Catering | Haddam
• Small Kitchen Big Taste | North Haven

BAR & BEVERAGE TEAM OF THE YEAR

• Beauty & Essex | Mohegan Sun
• Drift | Essex
• Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour | Hartford
• I Know You Know | New Britain
• Perfusion Bar | Newtown

SERVICE TEAM OF THE YEAR

• David Burke Prime | Foxwoods
• Gabrielle’s of Westport | Westport
• Max’s Oyster Bar | West Hartford
• The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel | Madison
• Viron Rondo Osteria | Cheshire

PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR

• James Arena | DORO Restaurant Group
• Stacy D’Angelo | Arethusa al tavolo
• Raphaël Dequeker | Raphaël’s Bakery
• Julien Tessier | Julien’s Farm Store
• Chelsea Tripp | Kouign Bakery

CHEF OF THE YEAR

• Ryan Carbone | Ore Hill & Swyft
• Ashley Flagg | The Laurel
• Bolivar Hilario | Community Table
• Johan Jensen | Whitecrest Eatery
• Christian Wilki | The Cottage

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

• Dew Drop Inn | Derby
• Paul’s Pasta | Groton
• The Po Café | Washington
• Valencia Luncheria | Norwalk
• Woke Breakfast & Coffee | Coventry

RESTAURANT NEWCOMER

• Bar Bushido | Norwalk
• Belden House | Litchfield
• The Foundry | Hartford
• The Laurel | West Hartford
• ROLi | New Haven

LITCHFIELD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• Community Table | New Preston
• Geppetto Osteria e Bisteccheria | Torrington
• Lost Fox Inn | Litchfield
• Materia Ristorante | Bantam

FAIRFIELD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• 29 Markle Ct | Bridgeport
• Allium Eatery | Westport
• Çka Ka Qëllu | Stamford
• Restaurant L’Ostal | Darien

HARTFORD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• J. Gilbert’s | Glastonbury
• Le Mazet | West Hartford
• Máncora Restobar | Hartford
• Villa Mulino Ristorante | Avon

NEW HAVEN COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• Café Melba | Milford
• Fair Haven Oyster Co. | New Haven
• Gioia Cafe & Bar | New Haven
• Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar | New Haven

TOLLAND COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza | Tolland
• Ocho Rios Grill | Vernon
• PhoLy | Vernon
• Trattoria da Lepri | Ellington

MIDDLESEX COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• The Essex | Old Saybrook
• Grano Arso | Chester
• OSA | Middletown
• River Tavern | Chester

WINDHAM COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• ANYA | Thompson
• Harp on Church | Willimantic
• Heirloom Food Company | Danielson
• Trigo Wood Fired Pizza | Willimantic

NEW LONDON COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

• 374 Kitchen + Cocktails | Niantic
• Nana’s Bakery & Pizza | Mystic
• The Port of Call | Mystic
• Whitecrest Eatery | Stonington

The beginning of CRAZIES season was marked by the CRAZIES Kickoff, hosted this September at Vyne Restaurant & Bar in Middlebury, where finalists and honorees were announced live and voting began. Voting is now open until Sunday, Nov. 30! Head to craziesawards.com to cast your vote, purchase tickets and hotels, explore sponsorship opportunities and learn more about the CRAZIES and the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

Not a Connecticut Restaurant Association member? Let’s change that! Head to ctrestaurant.org/join.