2025 CRA & CHEF Board of Directors

Meet the 2025 Connecticut Restaurant Association and Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation Board of Directors.

Welcome Luke Venner | New Connecticut Restaurant Association Board Member

Chef Luke Venner
Elm Restaurant | New Canaan

Born in South Dakota, Luke's career has spanned multiple states, including being part of Restaurant Picasso in Vail and Redd Restaurant in Napa Valley, and serving as the Executive Chef at Manhattan restaurants BLT Fish and BLT Steak. Luke is now the owner of Elm Restaurant in New Canaan.

In addition to serving on the Association's Board of Directors, Luke is a Hill Runners: a program which allows restaurant owners to connect face-to-face with members of Congress and share stories of how the laws Congress considers impact their restaurants—positively and negatively—and the communities they serve. 

Outside the kitchen, Chef Luke battles childhood hunger by participating in Chefs Cycle—an annual 300-mile endurance cycling event along California's North Coast which has raised millions of dollars of funding for the No Kid Hungry Foundation. 

Connecticut Restaurant Association Executive Committee

Chairman
Keith Beaulieu
The Main Pub

Immediate Past Chairman
Daniel Meiser
85th Day Food Community

Vice Chairman
Scott Miller
DORO Restaurant Group

Secretary
Christina Fitzgerald

Treasurer
Philip Barnett
Hartford Restaurant Group

Legislative Committee Chair (Restaurants)
Timothy Adams
J. Timothy's Taverne

Legislative Committee Chair (Caterers/Private Events)
Doug Polistena
The Amber Room Colonnade

Connecticut Restaurant Association Directors at Large

Steven Abrams
Max Hospitality

AJ Aurrichio
Tanda Hospitality

Suzanne Cannon (Honorary)
Formerly Eli Cannon's Tap Room

Bryce Hardy
The Charles

Olivia Formica
Cappy Hospitality

Jason Guyot
Foxwoods Resort Casino

Jonathan Jennings
CT Wedding Group

Michael Marchetti
Marchetti Management Service

Emily Mingrone
Tavern on State, Fair Haven Oyster Co, Provisions on State, The Pearl

Ryan O'Donnell
Pullman Comley

Brian Phelps
Toad's Place

Don Stevens
CohnReznick

Matt Storch
Match | Match Burger Lobster

Stephen Tagliatela
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina

Bill Taibe
For the Food Restaurant Group

Luke Venner
Elm Restaurant

Helmar Wolf
Mill Restaurant Group

Welcome Louise Albin | New Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation Board Member

Louise Albin
Café Louise | West Hartford

“I opened Café Louise in January 1993 to provide elegant, contemporary, eclectic gourmet catering to private and business clients. I have been living my dream and passion of running a successful catering company and loving what I do. 

"After winning Caterer of the Year in 2023 at the CRAZIES Awards, I had an epiphany that it was now time for me to give back and start mentoring young adults who are interested in the food industry.

"I am honored to be a part of the CHEF Board of Directors. I look forward to connecting with other members of the board and mentoring and helping in the coming years."

Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation Executive Committee

Chairman
Ben Dubow
Forge City Works

Vice Chairman
Daniel Meiser
85th Day Food Community

Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation Directors at Large

Louise Albin
Café Louise

Tyler Anderson
Tanda Hospitality

Phil Barnett
Hartford Restaurant Group

Christopher Gentile
CT State Community College - Gateway

Jan Jones
University of New Haven

Scott Miller
DORO Restaurant Group

David Rutigliano
SBC Restaurant Group

Roshara Sanders
Culinary Institute of America