​2023 CRAzies Nominations 
Chefs & Restaurant Leaders

2023 CRAzies Awards
Monday, December 4th, 2023
5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Foxwoods Resort Casino

The CRAzies
The CRAzies is the Annual Awards Gala hosted by the Connecticut Restaurant Association and the ONLY statewide event that celebrates and recognizes the best of the best in the restaurant and food service industry across all of Connecticut.

CT Chef & Restaurant Leader Nominating Panel
​As we work to continuously improve our CRAzies Nominations process, new for 2023 is a select panel made up of top chefs, owners, operators, & restaurant leaders from across Connecticut. Top nominations in each category will be presented to our CRAzies Nominating Panel, which along with public nominations, will help the panel to determine 2023 CRAzies finalists.

Please take note of the following criteria:
  • Your nominations will be kept confidential.
  • You may NOT vote for yourself, your restaurant, other restaurants you have a partnership share in, or any staff who are part of these restaurants.
  • Individuals invited to be part of this panel should be Executive Chef, Lead Chef, Chef/Owner, Owner, or Operator and can NOT serve on the CRAzies Nominating Panel.

Award Categories
You will be asked to submit nominations in 18 award categories. Though it is not required that you submit a nominee in every category, you will not be able to save your progress and come back later. For this reason, we suggest you review the award categories page in advance.

Thank you for being part of this process. Your feedback is highly valued. Please submit your nominations by September 30, 2023.​​

    2023 CRAzies Chef & Restaurant Leader Panel Nominations Form

    * Indicates required field.

    1) Chef of the Year

    ​Best chef in Connecticut.  A Connecticut chef whose work exemplifies excellence and sets new or consistent industry standards and who serves as an inspiration to other food professionals.

    2) Restaurateur of the Year

    ​Best hands-on restaurant owner or managing partner who sets high standards for operation, entrepreneurship, and serves as inspiration to other food service professionals.

    ​3) Pastry Chef of the Year

    ​Best Pastry Chef in Connecticut.  A Connecticut Pastry Chef whose work sets new or consistent industry standards and who serves as an inspiration to other food professionals. (Note: This award alternates biannually with Baker of the Year)

    ​4) Server of the Year

    ​Best server in Connecticut. Demonstrates outstanding service, high standards in hospitality and serves as a model employee.

    ​5) Bartender of the Year

    ​Best bartender in Connecticut.  Demonstrates excellence in cocktails, spirits, beer and wine service.

    6) Caterer of the Year

    Best caterer in Connecticut.  A Connecticut caterer who sets the standard for excellence and hospitality.

    7) Vendor of the Year

    ​​A business providing a product or service to the restaurant or food service industry and exemplifying continued commitment to superior quality, service & support.

    8) Restaurant Newcomer

    ​Best NEW restaurant in Connecticut. Displays excellence in food, beverage, service and atmosphere and likely to make a positive impact on the CT restaurant scene. Must have been in business for less than 2 years and opened before August 1, 2023.

    ​9) Restaurant of the Year

    ​​ A Connecticut restaurant that consistently demonstrates quality and excellence in food, service and atmosphere, while making a positive impact in the community

    Fairfield County

    Litchfield County

    Hartford County
    New Haven County
    Middlesex County
    Tolland County

    Windham County

    New London County

    ​10) Hospitality Hall of Fame

    ​A Connecticut restaurant in business for 25 years or more, with consistently high standards of hospitality and service, and widely considered an iconic dining destination. 

    11) People's Choice

    ​​Your favorite restaurant, dining establishment or local hotspot in Connecticut. Open to full range of dining concepts, restaurant types and diversity of cuisines. 

    12) Chef & Restaurant Leader Panel Suggestion (optional)

    Is there an accomplished Connecticut Chef and/or Industry Leader that you think we should include on our 2023 CRAzies Panel?  Please send us their information for review.
    Thank you for participating in our 2023 CRAzies nomination process.  To submit your nominations, please press submit below.  Please do not press submit more than once as this will create duplicates.