New Haven, Middlesex County eateries vying for ‘CRAzies’

State restaurant group announces award winners, nominees

FARMINGTON — The Connecticut Restaurant Association has announced the award winners and nominees for the 2021 CRAzies Awards Gala. Each year, the CRAzies recognizes the exceptional ability and talent of Connecticut’s restaurant community at a prestigious awards gala, according to a press release.

The CRAzies selection process began last week, when a panel of more than 25 food writers, critics, bloggers and social media influencers sat down to finalize the list of award winners and nominees, the news release said. Restaurateur of the Year, Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame, Vendor of the Year, and Friend of the Industry nominees were brought to the CRA Board of Directors.

Overall winners were selected in each of four categories.

“We are extremely excited to celebrate our industry at the 2021 CRAzies, especially at a time when Connecticut’s local restaurants and caterers have been through so much, and worked so hard, over these past 19 months,” Connecticut Restaurant Association Executive Director Scott Dolch said in a statement.

This year’s Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame inductees will be Louis’ Lunch of New Haven and Match Restaurant of Norwalk.

There are five finalists for Chef of the Year, including Joel Gargano from Grano Arso (Chester), Emily Mingrone from Tavern on State (New Haven) and Manuel Romero from Olea (New Haven).

A New Haven business, Camacho

Garage, is also a finalist in the Restaurant Newcomer award category, which highlights the best new restaurants in Connecticut.

The final category is Restaurant of the Year, where the CRA recognizes four different regional winners, as well as an overall winner from the 16 nominees.

Nominees for Middlesex and

New Haven counties are: Le Petit Café (Branford), Shell & Bones (New Haven), Tavern on State (New Haven) and Viron Rondo Osteria (Cheshire).

Winners will be selected from not only the public vote, but also nominating panel members, the CRA said.

To view all the award categories, and to vote, visit craziesawards.com.

CRA / Contributed photo From left, Joseph Roberto, chef de cuisine; Joel Gargano, co-owner and chef; and Lani Gargano, co-owner of Grano Arso in Chester, at a 2019 award ceremony for the Connecticut Restaurant Association. Their restaurant is among those vying for awards this year.