Banchet Awards 2025 food finalists
The 2024 Banchet Awards for culinary excellence — Chicago’s top local food honors — were announced early Monday.
Named in honor of the legendary chef who helmed Wheeling's Le Francais restaurant in the 1970s and '80s, the annual awards recognize the Chicago area's restaurant scene innovators. Awardees will be announced at a gala event on Jan. 26 at Venue SIX10.
"I think the Banchets exist as a testament to the innovation of this city's restaurant scene. That it is world-class. That it is first-class. When we gather once a year, it's a reminder of how vibrant and exciting our industry is as well as the decades of innovation that got us here," said Michael Muser, co-owner of the Michelin-starred Ever restaurant, and the organizer of this year's awards event.
Here is the list of this year’s nominees:
Competing for Best Restaurant laurels are:
- Midwest-Mediterranean fusion stalwart Avec
- West Loop Argentinian mainstay El Che Steakhouse and Bar
- Danish-American modern seasonal table Elske
- The self-described “Adriatic drinking food” of Joe Flamm’s Rose Mary in Fulton Market
The finalists for 2025 Best New Restaurant (open less than two years):
- Uptown Latin-infused taco destination Cariño
- West Town’s wood-fired Brazilian-inspired grillmasters Brasero
- Lincoln Park Americana standout John’s Food and Wine
- South Loop 1930s supper club Oliver’s
The list of finalists for Chef of the Year, another closely watched category, includes omakase sushi master Otto Phan of Kyōten, handmade pasta maven Sarah Grueneberg of Monteverde, S.K.Y. restaurant group all-arounder Stephen Gillanders and gastro-tavern craftsman Kevin Hickey of The Duck Inn.
This being Chicago, there’s also a Best Pizza category. Finalists are Pistores in River North, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan on Argyle Street, Spacca Napoli Pizzeria in Ravenswood and Robert’s Pizza and Dough Co. in Streeterville.
Additional nominees of the 2025 Banchet Awards include:
Best Heritage Restaurant
- Stumara
- Soul & Smoke
- New Village Gastro Pub & Karaoke
- Ocean Grill & Bar
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
- Bungalow by Middle Brow
- Daisy's Po-Boy and Tavern
- Kie-Gol-Lanee
- Le Bouchon
Rising Chef of the Year
- John Dahlstrom, Nettare
- Madalyn Durrant, Bar Parisette
- Mike Satinover, Akahoshi Ramen
- Chris Jung, Maxwells Trading
Bar of the Year
- Nine Bar
- Bisous
- Sepia
- Golden Years
Best Counter Service
- Migos Fine Foods
- Ragadan
- Santa Masa Tamaleria
- J.P. Graziano Grocery
Sommelier of the Year
- Jelena Prodan; S.K.Y., Valhalla, Apolonia
- Kat Hawkins; Miru, Tre Dita, St. Regis Bar
- Patti Robison, Acanto
- Scott Stroemer, Galit
Best Hospitality
- Brindille
- Dear Margaret
- Jeong
- Anelya
Best Design
- Brasero
- Tre Dita
- Bazaar Meat
- Perilla Steakhouse
Pastry Chef of the Year
- Bo Durham, Mindy’s Bakery
- TC Lumbar, Elske
- Antonio Incandela, Mariscos San Pedro
- Sarah Mispagel-Lustbader and Ben Lustbader, Loaf Lounge
The local Banchet awards have been joined by the national James Beard Awards for culinary excellence when the latter moved its home base to Chicago in 2015. Both honors put an incomparable spotlight on the dining scene here.
"The Jean Banchet Awards will forever be in Chicago. We hope we'll be able to boast that the James Beard Awards will be here for just as long. We hope the Beards know how much we appreciate having their show in Chicago," Muser said.
Contributing: Miriam Di Nunzio, Sun-Times