NEWARK — The Delaware Restaurant Association awarded its ‘Bocce Cup’ trophy to Team Half Full pizzeria & wine bar, Lewes, on June 6. The team’s win marks the second-ever three-peat champion — 2013, 2018 and 2022 — of the annual DRA Beer & Bocce Tournament.

A field of 28 competing restaurant teams was whittled down to a final 12 in the winners bracket, with a final match up between 2021 champs Team Starboard vs. Team Half Full. Ultimately, Team Half Full came out on top and will bring the trophy back to Sussex County for another year.

“This event truly embodies the spirit of the hospitality industry as one that comes together to enjoy camaraderie and great food and drink, while cheering on their employees and benefiting local communities. It’s a great day that our restaurant members look forward to every year,” said Carrie Leishman, president & CEO, Delaware Restaurant Association.

This year’s tournament brought together 28 restaurant teams on the bocce courts at the DE Turf Sports Complex near Milford, while spectators and local legislators cheered them on and enjoyed food from Burgers by Wildwich, Woody’s on Wheels and the Army of 2 food trucks. Live music from lowercase blues kept the crowd going, and the enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 enjoyed beers and spirits from Dogfish Head, Breakthru Beverage, Standard Distributing Company and N.K.S. Distributors.

Event partners Dogfish Head and Samuel Adams were joined by industry and event sponsors: Breakthru Beverage Delaware, NKS Distributors, US Foods, Clark Service Group, Electric Motor Company, Payroll Network, Comcast Business, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Cube Gone, Insta Signs Plus, and Elite Linen Services.

“The DRA annual Bocce event is the perfect restaurant competition! Great hardworking people getting together to play a fiercely competitive and supportive game. We do our best to participate annually. It is a blast to spend time with our friends in the industry before the summer season and a fantastic way to relax with coworkers while team-building in such a fun setting,” said Matt DiSabatino, owner and Half Full team captain.

Mr. DiSabatino, whose teams with Striper Bites have won two previous tournaments, even chose to delay opening his restaurant the night of the 2022 competition, allowing his staff to continue their hot streak, sacrificing several business hours for the camaraderie and fun of the afternoon tournament celebrating Delaware’s restaurant industry.

Team Hall Full will proudly display the Bocce Cup trophy in their pizzeria/wine bar until next year’s tournament. Their selected charity, The Historic Lewes Farmers Market, will receive a $1,000 donation in their name from the Delaware Restaurant Association.

Prizes were awarded by Dogfish Head and N.K.S. Distributors, and included beach chairs, coolers, scooters and skateboards, and Dogfish-themed merchandise.