Back by popular demand, the CURE summer biotech cookout was held again this year at the Owenego Inn in Branford.

More than 175 employees and friends of CURE member organizations registered for the July 17 event, playing the DNA Game, sampling the hot and cold buffet, and networking in the sunshine along the beautiful Connecticut shoreline.

This year’s sponsors included Cantor Colburn LLP, CGI Pharmaceuticals, CuraGen, Makovsky + Company, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, The Town of Branford, and Wiggin and Dana.

Welcoming the crowd, Paul Pescatello, president and CEO of CURE, extended special thanks to Dr. Jonathan Rothberg and his family for providing complimentary Chamard Vineyard chardonnay. Dr. Rothberg owns the vineyard in Clinton, which organizes regular wine tastings in addition to a full summer program

Pescatello also thanked CURE staff and HarveyMalis Communications for their help organizing the event.

“The long-term health of Connecticut lifescience depends in part on the ability of Connecticut companies to identify, recruit, and retain talented employees, Pescatello said. “Part of our job at CURE is to provide our community with the opportunity to meet and talk to each other. Sometimes it’s a speaker series or a special event like StemCONN 09, the upcoming stem cell symposium, Sometimes it’s a social event like our recent theater party at Long Wharf or today’s cookout.”

Registrations for this year’s cookout were up 20% from the previous year, Pecatello said. For employees of CURE member companies there is no charge to attend, thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

After a spirited round of the The DNA Game, Ming Lei of 454 Life Sciences won a gift certificate from Zane’s Cycles in Branford. Seth Fidel of Cantor, Colburn won a gift certificate and apparel from soundRUNNER of Branford. Amy Amenta of Achillion won dinner for two, courtesy of Svigals + Partners, the New Haven architecture and art firm. Uday Khrie of Cheminpharma won the $300 Amazon gift certificate provided by Ed Cronin of Aon Risk Management.