Bridgeport Chef Named Among Top In State: CT Restaurant Association

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport chef was recently named one of the best in state by the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

Damon Sawyer from 29 Markle Ct was one of five chefs nominated for the Chef of the Year award by the association.

The winner of the award was David Standridge from The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic; the other finalists were Vincent Chirico from The Luke Brasserie in New Haven; Gen Hashimoto from Hachiroku Shakudo & Sake Bar in New Haven; and Michelle Greenfield from Allium Eatery in Westport.

In addition to the Chef of the Year, the restaurant group also handed out other CRAZIES during a sold-out gala on Monday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Each year, the CRAZIES recognizes the exceptional ability and talent of Connecticut’s hospitality community, with the help of an expert media panel and over 25,000 online public votes. Twenty-one honorees from across the state received awards. The event was attended by Governor Ned Lamont, who addressed the guests and offered words of support and encouragement to the industry.

"The 6th Anniversary of the CRAZIES Awards Gala was a huge success for our association, for our industry, and for the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents we employ," said Connecticut Restaurant Association President & CEO Scott Dolch. "The energy and enthusiasm of 1,500 industry professionals coming together demonstrated that Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry continues to be a powerful economic engine, accounting for nearly 10 percent of all jobs in our state. The CRAZIES once again showcased the exceptional talents our industry has to offer, and we look forward to building on this success each and every year as we encourage everyone in hospitality to take part in this annual celebration."

From the Connecticut Restaurant Association announcement:

One of the most significant awards of the evening was the Overall and County Restaurant of the Year Awards presented by Sysco. First, the association handed out winners from each of the eight counties around the state and the eight winners were – Materia Ristorante in Bantam (Litchfield County); Bar Rosina’s in Greenwich (Fairfield County); Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford (Hartford County); Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar in New Haven (New Haven County); Monet’s Table in Tolland (Tolland County); The Essex in Old Saybrook (Middlesex County); Trigo Wood Fired Pizza in Willimantic (Windham County); and The Port of Call in Mystic (New London County). The overall winner who was named 2024 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Bar Rosina’s, who earned the award over the other seven county winners and twenty-four total nominees.

The Restaurant Newcomer presented by Opici went to Gioia Cafe & Bar (New Haven) and the Caterer of the Year presented by Powerstation Events was Chef Prasad (New Canaan). The Server of the Year presented by Eder Bros, Allan S. Goodman and Slocum & Sons went to Christopher Hodson from Materia Ristorante (Bantam), and the Bartender of the Year presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. went to Suzie Johnson from Fire by Forge (Hartford). The Pastry Chef of the Year went to Jessica Spivey from Oyster Club (Mystic) and People’s Choice presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino went to Sandra’s Next Generation (New Haven). The Vendor of the Year went to Copps Island Oysters.

In addition to the voted award winners, the Connecticut Restaurant Association recognized Eli Hawli & Sam DeVellis of Market Hospitality Group as the 2024 Restaurateurs of the Year presented by US Foods. Eli & Sam own and operate six different restaurant concepts throughout Connecticut, New York and Florida, which currently totals 16 different locations. (Market Place Kitchen & Bar; Mercato Italian Kitchen & Bar; Market Place Tavern; Blu Pointe; Beso Taco Bar; The Wheel; and Key Largo Fisheries)

Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (Noank) and Red Rock Tavern (Hartford) were both inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by GoNation. Connecticut’s State House Representative Kerry Wood was presented with the Friend of the Industry Award for her dedication and partnership to the Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry. In addition, Edward ‘Bud’ F. O’Donnell, Jr., Esq. was recognized by the association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Connecticut Restaurant Association and hospitality industry over the years.