There’s a special kind of madness in opening a restaurant. You’re equal parts artist, engineer, gambler, and firefighter. You build something out of thin air, a dream, a menu, a crew, and then you hope it all holds once the doors open. The CRA Crazies “Restaurant Newcomer”  category celebrates the ones bold (or crazy) enough to chase that dream in real time. Every name here represents sleepless nights, maxed-out cards, and the hope that passion can become a business. This is

The Culinary Titans are here—Connecticut’s boldest chefs, visionaries, and leaders redefining what hospitality means. These nominees for Chef of the Year represent passion, precision, and perseverance. From fire and flavor to heart and hustle, each one turns chaos into craft, inspiring the next generation to cook, lead, and serve with purpose.

The bar is the pulse of every restaurant—where chemistry, craft, and connection meet. The 2025 CRA Crazies Bar & Beverage Team finalists represent the heart of Connecticut’s cocktail culture: Drift, I Know You Know, Hartford Flavor, Perfusion Bar, and Beauty & Essex. These teams turn every pour into poetry and every shift into art. Read more at The Hospitality Club. #CTCrazies #HospitalityClub #BartenderLife

There’s something electric about this time of year in Connecticut—the hum of full dining rooms, the smell of bourbon and citrus, and the buzz of the CRA Crazies Awards. Love them or hate them, tonight we celebrate the names on the list. From chefs to bartenders, dishwashers to dreamers, this is our time. Read The Hospitality Club’s Crazies Series and meet the people shaping Connecticut hospitality. #CTCrazies #HospitalityClub