CT Launches Food Trail Featuring Restaurants Seen On TV: See The Stops

From award-winning chefs to restaurants featured on Food Network, Connecticut is putting its television-famous dining destinations on the map.

The state's new TV-to-Table Trail highlights restaurants and chefs who have appeared on some of the country's most popular food shows, giving residents a chance to sample the dishes and culinary talent they've seen on screen.

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Gov. Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism announced the Connecticut TV-to-Table Trail on Oct. 5, creating a new way for food lovers to explore restaurants with national television connections.

The trail features chefs and restaurants associated with shows including "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," "Chopped," "Beat Bobby Flay," "Guy's Grocery Games," "Cupcake Wars" and "Best Bite in Town."

"Connecticut chefs have been competing, winning, and getting noticed on national television for years, and now we're giving people a way to experience that talent for themselves," Lamont said.

The launch was celebrated at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center with Connecticut native and James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Conant, who hosted an event featuring local culinary talent.

Connecticut Restaurants And Chefs Featured On Food TV

The state's announcement highlighted the following restaurants and chefs:

• Millwright's and Ta•Que — Tyler Anderson: The Connecticut chef won "Chopped," reached the finals of "BBQ Brawl" and appeared on "Top Chef" and "Beat Bobby Flay."
• Sparrow Pizza Bar and tacobarn — Adam Greenberg: Greenberg won the "Chopped" Grand Champion Tournament and "Beat Bobby Flay" and competed on several other Food Network shows.
• Tavern on State and Fair Haven Oyster Co. — Emily Mingrone: The award-winning chef has appeared on "Chopped," "Guy's Grocery Games" and "Best Bite in Town."
• Grano Arso — Joel Gargano: Gargano won the grand prize on "Rocco's Dinner Party" and appeared on "Chopped," "Cutthroat Kitchen" and "Beat Bobby Flay."
• Orienta — Adrien Blech: Blech won "Beat Bobby Flay."
• Prime Burger — Joseph Hamboussi: His Belgium Bierhaus Burger was featured on "Best Bite in Town."
• Match, Match Burger Lobster and Clean Slate — Matt and Lisa Storch: Matt won "Chopped," while Lisa is a two-time "Beat Bobby Flay" winner.
• Le Banh Patisserie — Kim Hoàng Wood: Wood competed on "Spring Baking Championship."
• Michele's Pies — Michele Albano: Albano defeated Bobby Flay with her Maple Pumpkin with Pecan Streusel Pie.
• Haven Hot Chicken: The Connecticut restaurant chain won "Best Bite in Town."
• Sugar Bakery — Carol Vollono and Brenda DePonte: The bakers won "Cupcake Wars," creating a final-round display featuring 1,000 decorated cupcakes.

The state also used the launch event to spotlight local agriculture, with ingredients supplied by Shaggy Coos Farm and Creamery in Easton, Silverman's Farm in Easton and Laurel Glen Farm in Shelton.

How To Explore The TV-to-Table Trail

The new trail is designed to help residents and visitors discover restaurants connected to their favorite food shows while exploring communities throughout Connecticut.

It joins several other statewide tourism initiatives, including Connecticut's Pizza Trail, Oyster Trail, Haunted History Trail and Christmas Movie Trail.

Visitors can explore the new trail and plan their own restaurant trips at ConnecticutTVtoTable.com.

The full announcement is available through the Connecticut governor's office.