CRAzies Awards honors Millwright’s, The Charles amid celebration of Connecticut restaurants. ‘You’re staying open,’ Gov. Lamont tells group.

On a night that honored the triumphs of Connecticut’s restaurants during a year of mounting difficulties, Gov. Ned Lamont joined 1,100 members of the statewide hospitality industry and cheered their resilience and significance.

The 2021 CRAzies Awards, given annually by the Connecticut Restaurant Association — based on votes by industry members, media and the general public — recognize the state’s most outstanding restaurants and restaurant employees.

Lamont, in giving the ceremony’s opening remarks, said it was the largest post-pandemic crowd so far at Foxwoods.

He cited the pandemic, saying that when restaurants closed, “the silence was deafening. … You realized how much restaurants mean for a community.”

Lamont reassured the Connecticut Restaurant Industry that this December’s surge, much like the last one, will not close their doors.

“You’re staying open,” Lamont said. “We’re keeping this open. We’re getting through this together. And I’m looking forward to going to each and every one of your restaurants as soon as I can.”

Restaurant of the year

Millwright’s in Simsbury was honored at the state’s Restaurant of the Year. That honor was chosen from four regional winners. Those winners are:

North Region: Millwright’s in Simsbury. Other nominees were Arugula in West Hartford, Present Company in Tarriffville and Shu in West Hartford.

South Region: Viron Rondo Osteria in Cheshire. Other nominees were Le Petit Café in Branford, Shell & Bones in New Haven and Tavern on State in New Haven.

East Region: Oyster Club in Mystic. Other nominees were Stone Row Kitchen & Bar in Willimantic, Tao Asian Bistro & Lounge at Mohegan Sun and Tony D’s in New London.

West Region: @ the Corner in Litchfield. Other nominees were Community Table in New Preston, OKO in Westport and Taproot in Bethel.

Restaurant newcomer

Restaurant Newcomer winner was The Charles in Wethersfield. Other nominees were Camacho Garage in New Haven, Dockside Brewery in Milford, Don Memo in Westport and Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic.

People’s choice

The People’s Choice award, entirely chosen by the public, was given to Red36 in Mystic Other nominees were Taco Daddy in Stamford, The Place 2 Be in Hartford and West Hartford and Twisted Italian Café in Hartford’s Parkville Market.

Chef of the year

Chef of the Year is Emily Mingrone of Tavern on State in New Haven, the first woman to win the award. Other nominees were Michone Danae Arrington of The Art of Yum in Waterbury and Southington, Ashley Flagg of Millwright’s in Simsbury, Joel Gargano of Grano Arso in Cheater and Manuel Romero from Olea in New Haven.

Pastry chef of the year

Pastry Chef / Baker of the Year: Kristin Eddy of Millwright’s in Simsbury. Other nominees were Chan Graham of BouNom Bakery in Avon, David Vacca of Nana’s Bakery & Pizza in Mystic and Rob VanKeuren of Flour Water Salt Bread in Darien.

Bartender of the year

Bartender of the Year: Khalid Williams from The Barrel Age in Bloomfield. Other nominees were Ryan Andrade from The White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Jade Ayala from Oyster Club in Mystic, Juan Meyer from Rosina’s in Greenwich.

Server of the year

Server of the Year: Jason Gould from Fleming’s Steakhouse in West Hartford. Other nominees were Amanda Casey from Viron Rondo Osteria in Cheshire, Brendan Hayes from Roma Ristorante in Oakville and Jess Saunders from Dockside Brewery in Milford.

Caterer of the year

Caterer of the Year: Marcia Selden Catering & Events of Stamford. Other nominees were Delicacy Catering of West Hartford, Emily’s Catering of Bristol and The Mobile Pub in Watertown.

Hospitality Hall of Fame inductees

In honors announced in September, Louis Lunch in New Haven, where the hamburger was created in 1900, and Match, a pioneer in the renaissance of the SoNo section of Norwalk in 1999, were inducted into the CRA’s Hospitality Hall of Fame. Also, Bill Taibe of For The Food Restaurant Group, which owns The Whelk, Don Memo and Kawa Ni in Westport and The Norwalk Art Space Café, was named 2021 Restaurateur of the Year.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.

Reporting from the Connecticut Mirror was included in this story.