Local Restaurant Wins Top Awards at 2nd Annual Mocktail Tasting Event

A Promise to Jordan charity raises more than $5,000 for substance use awareness on May 22 in Hartford.

The popular saying, “practice makes perfect” certainly held true for Flora Restaurant of West Hartford at the recent Mocktail Tasting fundraising event for A Promise to Jordan, a non-profit organization based in Simsbury.  The family-owned business clinched top honors by winning both the Best Mocktail and Best Appetizer categories at the charitable food and beverage competition, which raised more than $5,000 for addiction and substance use awareness. The recovery-friendly event, which attracted nearly 100 supporters, took place at Real Art Ways in Hartford on May 22, 2022.

“After winning ‘Best Overall Mocktail' for our Pink Panther drink last year, we were determined to preserve our honors with our new Northern Lights alcohol-free beverage, while turning up the heat in the appetizer department with our Hearts of Palm Ceviche,” said KC Ward, co-owner of Flora Restaurant.  “Both are super popular items on our menu, so we are excited that the event attendees enjoyed them as well.”

“A simple ‘thank you’ seems so inadequate to express our deep gratitude to everyone who made our second annual Mocktail Tasting such an amazing success!” said Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan (APTJ). “We appreciate the generosity of our stellar sponsors like McCall Center for Behavioral Health, The Village for Families and Children, and Aware Recovery Care, as well as all of the attendees, vendors, and volunteers."

Proceeds benefit A Promise To Jordan, an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about substance misuse, eliminating the stigma of addiction, assisting people in accessing quality care, and giving hope to those struggling with substance use disorders and their families that recovery is possible. Gray founded A Promise to Jordan after losing her then 24-year-old son, Jordan Arakelian, to an accidental overdose in 2018.

The weather was hot, but indoors at Real Art Ways, the mocktails were cool and refreshing and the appetizers delightful as patrons participated in the silent auction and raffles, and attended one of the first social gatherings of the season.

“These funds enable our organization to continue our mission to erase the stigma of substance use and mental health disorders, help people access quality care, and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders and their families. We can't wait to see everyone next year!” exclaimed Gray.

About A Promise to Jordan

A Promise to Jordan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named for Jordan Arakelian who died from an accidental opioid overdose on June 30, 2018 at the age of 24. Founded by his mother, Lisa Gray, the mission of A Promise to Jordan is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of addiction, assist people in accessing quality care and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders and their loved ones. Visit apromisetojordan.org for information and resources, or call (860) 390-1391.

PHOTO: from left: Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan and Dan Millstein, President of the Board of Directors for A Promise to Jordan, at the non-profit organization’s 2^nd Annual Mocktail Tasting fundraiser on May 22, 2022 at Real Art Ways in Hartford. The event earned more than $5,000 to raise awareness about substance use disorders. 

Photo Courtesy of: A Promise to Jordan