2022’s Jean Banchet Award Nominations Are Live in Chicago

https://chicago.eater.com/2022/3/3/2295 ... icago-2022

First, the bad news: There will be no Jean Banchet Awards in 2023.

But that’s because Michael Muser, best known as the co-owner of Ever, hopes to transform the event into one that can better benefit the Chicago hospitality industry. Over the next year, he’ll turn it into an independent nonprofit before he relaunches the awards program in 2024.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... 0050163587

The Jean Banchet Awards, named after the chef of the legendary Le Francais in the suburb of Wheeling, which helped cement Chicago's status as an exceptional dining city, have announced their finalists. The winners will be named in a ceremony held on January 28, 2024.

https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2 ... -finalists

I looked at the list expecting to see Khmai in there somewhere and was surprised to find it was not.

The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence named Galit, a Middle Eastern eatery in Lincoln Park, Restaurant of the Year and Paul Virant, owner of Vie, Vistro Prime and Gaijin, Chef of the Year during its January 28 awards show at Venue SIX10.

Former Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettel received the organization’s highest honor, the Culinary Excellence of the Year Award.

https://www.chicagofoodmagazine.com/new ... -announced

The 2025 Jean Banchet Awards

Restaurant of the Year
Avec

Chef Of The Year
Otto Phan (Kyoten)

Best New Restaurant
Cariño

Rising Chef
Chris Jung (Maxwells Trading)

Pastry Chef Of The Year
TC Lumbar (Elske)

Bar Of The Year
Bisous

Best Heritage Restaurant
Stumara

Sommelier Of The Year
Jelena Prodan (S.K.Y., Valhalla & Apolonia)

Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Le Bouchon

Best Counter Service
Ragadan

Best Design
Tre Dita

Best Hospitality
Dear Margaret

Best Pizza
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

The 2026 Finalists for Chicago's Local Food Awards, the Banchets

https://www.wttw.com/playlist/2025/10/1 ... 6-nominees