Restaurant Association Honors CT's Top Eateries And Chefs At Gala

CONNECTICUT — The Connecticut Restaurant Association honored its own recently, at its annual CRAzies awards ceremony.

The Shipwright’s Daughter won Restaurant of the Year, and Renee Touponce of Oyster Club was named Chef of the Year. Both restaurants are in Mystic.

Chef Jacques Pépin, a Madison resident, was honored with the CRAzies' first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award. Pépin is a cookbook author, television host, Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and 16-time James Beard Foundation award winner.

With the help of an expert media panel and nearly 20,000 online public votes, the CRA handed out awards in 18 categories, honoring members of its organization throughout the state. Gov. Ned Lamont was among the nearly 1,300 at the gala, held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket.

East Region winner The Shipwright’s Daughter won the top award in competition against North Region winner The Charles in Wethersfield, South Region champ Tavern on State in New Haven, and West Region winner Kawa Ni in Westport.

Chef of the Year Renee Touponce defeated finalists David DiStasi, Materia Ristorante in Bantam; Jared Falco, Rosina’s in Greenwich; Jared Sippel, L’Ostal in Darien; and David Standridge at The Shipwright’s Daughter.

Other 2022 CRAzies winners included:

• Restaurant Newcomer: Materia Ristorante, Bantam
• Caterer of the Year: DORO Catering & Events, West Hartford
• Server of the Year: Lamott Britto from Grano Arso, Chester
• Bartender of the Year: Sebastian Guerrero from The Port of Call, Mystic
• Baker of the Year: Pierluigi Mazzella from Fatto a Mano, Monroe
• People’s Choice: Mecha Noodle Bar, multiple locations
• Vendor of the Year: Gulf Shrimp Company, Plantsville

In addition to the voted award winners, the Connecticut Restaurant Association recognized Phil Barnett and Michael Hamlin of Hartford Restaurant Group as the 2022 Restaurateurs of the Year. The duo own and operate nine different Wood N Tap locations around the state, as well as Que Whiskey Kitchen in Southington.

Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand in Cheshire and Sally’s Apizza in New Haven were both inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame. State Speaker of the House Matt Ritter was presented with the Friend of the Industry Award for his work on behalf of Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry.

New for 2022, the CRA recognized four local restaurants for their positive impact on its industry, workforce and the communities they serve. These Community Impact Leaders were BeanZ & Co., in Avon, Coffee for Good in Greenwich, Craig’s Kitchen in Vernon and RD86 in New London.

"Our fourth annual CRAzies Awards Gala was a huge success for our association, for our industry, and for the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents we employ," said Connecticut Restaurant Association president and CEO Scott Dolch. "The energy and enthusiasm that nearly 1,300 guests brought to this event once again demonstrated that Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry continues to be a powerful economic engine, accounting for nearly 10 percent of all jobs in our state. The CRAzies once again showcased the exceptional talents our industry has to offer, and we look forward to building on this success each and every year as we encourage everyone in hospitality to take part in this annual celebration."