Nalu successfully defended its title at the Dewey Business Partnership’s annual Restaurant Olympics Aug. 11, beating out 23 other teams of local restaurant and hospitality workers.

“The day was absolutely fantastic,” said DBP Executive Director Kellyann Palladino. “I love to see the strategies the teams come up with, and that’s really what it’s all about. Inside the restaurants, they have to work as a team, and even on this field, they have to work as a team, so it’s great to see the dynamics of the interactions.”

The annual competition, which started in 2011 as a fundraiser for the DBP, pits teams against each other in a series of field day-style challenges, such as a water balloon toss, dizzy bat relay, tray relay and tug-of-war. 

“It’s just gotten better and better, and grown as something amazing that everybody looks forward to,” Palladino said. “It’s a great way to bring all the people in the restaurant industry together and celebrate an amazing summer.”

This year’s crowd may have been the biggest yet, with Palladino estimating there to have been at least 300 spectators lining the baywalk and bayside beach at the Hyatt Place and the Lighthouse, where the event took place.

Nalu clinched first place for the second consecutive year after defeating Dewey Beer Company in the tug-of-war. Nalu’s team comprised Angelica Kusen, Brianna DiStefano, Corey Hudson, Timothy Friedman, Nataleigh Hunter and Evan Blaeuer, with Heather Cilinski serving as the team coach for the fourth consecutive year.

Claws Seafood House and Bluecoast placed third and fourth.

The 20 other teams, each of which comprised three women and three men, included Northbeach, The Starboard, Starboard Claw, Somewhere, The Lighthouse, Nicola Pizza, 66 Blue Oysters (a combination of Oyster House, Blue Hen and Bin 66), Salt Air, Dogfish Head, Bottle & Cork, Paradise Grill, The Cottage Cafe, Arena’s, Stingray, Big Fish Grill, Victoria’s Restaurant, Jimmy’s Grille, Rusty Rudder, Dockside Marina Bar and Grill, and Obie’s By the Sea.

A crew from Grotto Pizza volunteered to help referee the event, along with several other longtime event officials, like David Cohen and Zeke Przygocki, who’ve been referees for the past 14 years. Grotto team members hope to compete next year but missed the registration deadline this year.

Palladino thanked all of the volunteers from the DBP, the Hyatt Place and the Lighthouse for making the event happen.

“Bringing everyone together, the small community of each restaurant and bar, it was such a good vibe,” said McKenna Monaghan, who competed on Team Jimmy’s Grille. “Dewey’s a small town, so we all know each other; we were all hyping each other up, a little bit of good trash talk, but it was so much fun.”