Meet the Finalists — The Best of Connecticut Hospitality– The Hospitality Club
- Justin Morales
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
There’s something electric about this time of year in Connecticut. The shift from late summer to fall, the slow hum of dining rooms filling back up, the smell of bourbon and citrus behind every good bar—and of course, the buzz of the CRA Crazies Awards.
Love them, hate them, agree or disagree—let’s just celebrate the names on the list.
If you’re in this business, you know what it means to be nominated. It’s more than a plaque, more than a night out—it’s a nod from your peers that says, “We see you.” And in an industry that too often runs on adrenaline, duct tape, and unpaid breaks, that kind of recognition hits deep.
This year’s finalists read like a greatest-hits list of Connecticut hospitality—the veterans, the grinders, the creators, the quiet leaders who somehow still smile after a 12-hour double. From kitchen wizards to cocktail scientists, front-of-house legends to the folks who keep the lights on behind the scenes—these are the names you’ll want to remember.
We’ll be rolling out The Hospitality Club’s “Crazies Series” over the next few weeks:
The People Behind the Pour – Bartenders & Beverage Finalists
Culinary Titans – Chef of the Year Nominees
The New Blood – Restaurant Newcomer Nominees
Restaurants of the Year – Where Connecticut Dines
The Supply Chain of Success – Vendors & Industry Partners
Because it’s not just about the winners—it’s about the tribe. The cooks who burn themselves for your dinner. The bartenders who remember your drink even when you forget your tab. The servers who smile through chaos and the dishwashers who make everyone else’s job possible.
The Crazies give us our day—or like in The Goonies, “This is our time. Down here is our time.”
We’ll spotlight the stories, the faces, and the fire behind this year’s finalists right here on The Hospitality Club.
So pour yourself something good, raise a glass to your peers, and stay tuned. Because the best of Connecticut hospitality is about to take the stage—and we’ll be there to tell their stories.
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