CRAzies Awards Winners 2024: Celebrating Excellence in CT's Culinary Community

The Connecticut culinary community came together last night to celebrate hard work, passion and excellence in the field. Winners from each of the eight counties around the state and the eight winners were – Materia Ristorante in Bantam (Litchfield County); Bar Rosina’s in Greenwich (Fairfield County); Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford (Hartford County); Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar in New Haven (New Haven County); Monet’s Table in Tolland (Tolland County); The Essex in Old Saybrook (Middlesex County); Trigo Wood Fired Pizza in Willimantic (Windham County); and The Port of Call in Mystic (New London County). The overall winner who was named 2024 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Bar Rosina’s, who earned the award over the other seven county winners and twenty-four total nominees.

The Chef of the Year presented by Performance Foodservice went to David Standridge from The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic. Standridge took home the top chef award over a stellar class of finalists, which also included – Vincent Chirico, The Luke Brasserie  (New Haven); Michelle Greenfield, Allium Eatery (Westport); Gen Hashimoto, Hachiroku Shakudo & Sake Bar (New Haven); and Damon Sawyer, 29 Markle Ct (Bridgeport).

 The Restaurant Newcomer presented by Opici went to Gioia Cafe & Bar (New Haven) and the Caterer of the Year presented by Powerstation Events was Chef Prasad (New Canaan). The Server of the Year presented by Eder Bros, Allan S. Goodman and Slocum & Sons went to Christopher Hodson from Materia Ristorante (Bantam), and the Bartender of the Year presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. went to Suzie Johnson from Fire by Forge (Hartford). The Pastry Chef of the Year went to Jessica Spivey from Oyster Club (Mystic) and People’s Choice presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino went to Sandra’s Next Generation (New Haven). The Vendor of the Year went to Copps Island Oysters.

In addition to the voted award winners, the Connecticut Restaurant Association recognized Eli Hawli & Sam DeVellis of Market Hospitality Group as the 2024 Restaurateurs of the Year presented by US Foods. Eli & Sam own and operate six different restaurant concepts throughout Connecticut, New York and Florida, which currently totals 16 different locations. (Market Place Kitchen & Bar; Mercato Italian Kitchen & Bar; Market Place Tavern; Blu Pointe; Beso Taco Bar; The Wheel; and Key Largo Fisheries)

 Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (Noank) and Red Rock Tavern (Hartford) were both inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by GoNation. Connecticut’s State House Representative Kerry Wood was presented with the Friend of the Industry Award for her dedication and partnership to the Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry. In addition, Edward ‘Bud’ F. O’Donnell, Jr., Esq. was recognized by the association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Connecticut Restaurant Association and hospitality industry over the years.