Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association

06/08/2026

TOMORROW: We're sending off CT's James Beard Foundation Award finalists! Join us in Mystic at the Mystic River Park Stage from 10:30AM to celebrate CT's culinary scene represented on a national stage!

This year's finalists are:
✨Outstanding Chef: David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic
✨Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program: The Port of Call, Mystic
✨Best Chef Northeast: David DiStasi of Materia Ristorante, Bantam

See you tomorrow!

06/05/2026

Join us on Tuesday as we celebrate the THREE CT James Beard Foundation Award finalists as they prepare to head off to Chicago for the 2026 James Beard Awards!

✨Outstanding Chef: David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic
✨Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program: The Port of Call, Mystic
✨Best Chef Northeast: David DiStasi of Materia Ristorante, Bantam

Please arrive at the Mystic River Park Stage from 10:30AM for the program to begin at 11AM.

This event is in partnership with Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Visit Litchfield CT, and the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.

Details here: ctrestaurant.org/events/2026-james-beard-awards-send-off

06/05/2026

Hartford Taste begins TODAY at 12pm, and runs until Sunday, June 7 at 6PM on Pratt & Trumbull Streets in Hartford!🍴

Hartford Taste, now in its fifth year, has become one of the region’s most meaningful cultural and economic drivers.

More than 60 local vendors and dozens of artists, chefs, and entrepreneurs came together in downtown Hartford to share their culture, cuisine, and creativity, transforming the city streets into a vibrant, living showcase of what makes Hartford special.

🤩 Scott Dolch, CRHA President & CEO, will be competing in the Community Cookoff on Sunday at 1:15pm, alongside Jay Williams of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation and Jason Jakubowski of Connecticut Foodshare. Come and cheer him on!

Learn more here:

Experience Hartford Taste 2026 with food, art, music, and community. Enjoy free admission and support Connecticut Foodshare at this annual festival in Hartford.

06/02/2026

The CRHA Hospitality Reception hit the road again last night - this time landing at Hotel Marcel in New Haven!📍

A great crowd of restaurateurs, hoteliers, hospitality business owners and more joined us to network and strengthen their industry connections. We took over the beautiful Hotel Marcel lobby space, and even got to take a behind-the-scenes peek at the inner workings of the hotel, learning about its history and eco-friendly design.

We were also joined by the Bear's Smokehouse BBQ team to spread the word about the Linked 4 Life program, showcasing our current partnership through the Eversource Hartford Marathon!🏃

Thank you to our generous sponsors, Connecticut Distributors, Inc. and Clover for your ongoing support of the CRHA.

Thank you to the wonderful team at Hotel Marcel for your hospitality, and Chef Megan Gill & the BLDG New Haven team for putting on a delicious spread!😋

06/02/2026

A 1/8-inch difference in Connecticut law has been costing restaurants and diners up to 20% more for lobster than neighboring states.

This year, lawmakers approved a common-sense fix that aligns Connecticut with regional standards, reduces unnecessary costs, and supports our restaurant and seafood industries.

Read more here:

For anyone dining out in New England, it doesn’t come as a shock that lobster can be expensive. What may be surprising to Connecticut consumers, however, is that they are […]

06/01/2026

Tonight's the night! Join us at Hotel Marcel in New Haven for a Hospitality Reception!🥂 This is a great opportunity to meet fellow hospitality professionals and expand your network.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, Clover and Connecticut Distributors, Inc., for supporting this event.

See you at 4pm!

05/29/2026

The CRHA Industry Job Board is LIVE and designed to connect employers in the Connecticut restaurant and hospitality industry with potential employees.

The Jobs Board is live 24/7 via our website, and is promoted weekly via our industry newsletter.

PLUS, CRHA can take advantage of unlimited, ✨FREE✨ basic postings!

🔍 View the Job Board or create a listing here: ctrestaurant.org/jobs

05/28/2026

Join us in celebrating the THREE CT James Beard Foundation Award finalists as they prepare to head off to Chicago for the 2026 James Beard Awards!

✨Outstanding Chef: David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter , Mystic
✨Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program: The Port of Call , Mystic
✨Best Chef Northeast: David DiStasi of Materia Ristorante, Bantam

Considered the Oscars of the culinary world, the James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honor for American chefs and culinary professionals.

The James Beard Awards have recognized excellence across the hospitality industry since 1990, spotlighting the chefs, restaurants, and hospitality leaders shaping American cuisine. Connecticut talent has been consistently represented in recent years, proving the state’s culinary scene is a serious force on the national stage.

Winners will be announced at the Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

This event is in partnership with Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Visit Litchfield CT, and the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association.

05/27/2026

UPCOMING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY: The Hospitality Reception is headed to Hotel Marcel in New Haven! Designed for hospitality operators, this event attracts a crowd of restaurant owners, hoteliers, and hospitality business operators to meet and mingle, forging new relationships within our industry.

On June 1, a crowd of restaurant owners, hoteliers, and hospitality operators are heading to Hotel Marcel to network with peers and expand their relationships within the industry.
This complimentary gathering is coming right up on June 1. RSVP here: ctrestaurant.org/events/hospitality-reception-new-haven

Thank you to our generous sponsors, Clover and Connecticut Distributors, Inc.

05/26/2026

The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association continues to grow - there truly is power in numbers! Join us in welcoming our new members:

✨ Da Capo of Litchfield - Litchfield
✨ Avon Da Capo - Avon
✨ Bradford's Grill - Stamford
✨ ION Restaurant - Vegan, Organic - Middletown
✨ Waters Edge at Giovanni's - Darien
✨ The Makerie Cafe - Greenwich
✨ The Haven - Norwalk
✨ Saybrook Point Resort & Marina - Old Saybrook
✨ Lost Fox Inn - Litchfield
✨ Great Wolf Lodge - Mashantucket
✨ Fresh Salt - Old Saybrook
✨ DORO Marketplace - Avon
✨ The Whaler's Inn, Mystic CT - Mystic
✨ Choo Choo Lounge - Old Saybrook
✨ Wolf Den - Mohegan Sun
✨ Todd English's Tuscany - Mohegan Sun
✨ The Lodge - Mohegan Sun
✨ Crafty Slice - Mohegan Sun
✨ Crafty Cafe - Mohegan Sun
✨ 203local - Allied Member
✨ Incrementum - Allied Member

JOIN THE CRHA TODAY: The Connecticut Restaurant Association has evolved to the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, uniting an integrated industry, with fundamentally similar goals.

Whether it is a boutique hotel with a premier dining room or a local tavern supporting the tourism trail, the hospitality sector is the backbone of this state’s economy. Together, we are a sector that contributes over $1 billion annually in state taxes through meals, beverages, and occupancy.

Become a member today ➡️ ctrestaurant.org/join