How the CRAZIES Awards Bring Us Together

It’s awards season for the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA). The CRAZIES Awards enter their sixth year of celebrating the incredible talent of the Connecticut hospitality industry community.

This year, more than 1,500 guests are expected to attend the awards—a startling increase from the humble beginnings of less than 500 people in 2018. This steady growth is a testament to the impact of the CRAZIES, not just on local businesses but also on the national stage, as Connecticut’s chefs, servers, bartenders, vendors, caterers and restaurants are placed firmly in the public eye.

However, the awards are not just an evening of recognition. The CRAZIES are an important demonstration of the size and role of Connecticut hospitality, and a reminder of the power and incredible impact the industry has on the state’s economy and culture. Each year, the CRAZIES evolve into a deeper symbol of what makes the Connecticut hospitality scene so special: the spirit of togetherness and the shared drive to lift each other up.

In coming together to celebrate, we also build momentum to advocate for the issues that matter most to our industry. The larger our numbers, the louder our voices become. Our strength in numbers gives us the power to fight for legislative changes that support the best interests of the community, working to protect a thriving industry for years to come.

The CRAZIES are a show of the hospitality community coming together to display resilience, standing united in the face of challenges and ultimately gathering together to celebrate our collective successes and support our peers.

In the end, the CRAZIES Awards are more than just a ceremony—they are a reminder of the power of unity and the importance of celebrating each other’s successes. Through this celebration, we continue to grow stronger together, lifting each other up and inspiring the next generation of hospitality leaders.

The CRAZIES event season officially began at the CRAZIES Kickoff hosted at Tate’s in Middletown, where the list of 2024 Finalists and Honorees were announced to attendees and aired live on the CRAZIES’ Instagram and Facebook. The finalists were chosen from public voting, industry insiders and a nomination panel of food writers, critics, industry influencers and more.

Voting for your 2024 winners is open until Nov. 30, 2024. Vote via craziesawards.com. Winners will be revealed on Dec. 9, 2024, at the 2024 CRAZIES Awards at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Tickets, sponsorships and hotel rooms are all available to purchase on the same site.

Also in our association news to share:

CRA President and CEO Scott Dolch was officially voted onto the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors for 2025. This is an incredible achievement and we are all extremely proud of Scott. The CRA and CT Hospitality Educational Foundation teams and Board of Directors offer a huge “congratulations” to Scott for taking Connecticut to the national stage.

Of the role he said, “It is truly an honor to be selected for such a prestigious position, which will provide me an even greater opportunity to represent Connecticut and the Connecticut Restaurant Association nationally. I want to personally thank those at the National Restaurant Association for providing me with this chance to lead at a national level. The future is extremely bright for the restaurant industry.”

For more information, or to become a member, visit ctrestaurant.org/join. Questions? Drop us an email at info@ctrestaurant.org.