The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence has announced the nominees for its 2020 awards, which recognize culinary originality and talent in the Chicago area.
The winners across 15 categories — including Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Best New Restaurant and others — will be announced at the Jan. 19 Jean Banchet Awards, an event that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“Winning a Jean Banchet Award is often a predictor of even bigger accolades and national awards to come,” said Michael Muser, who will be emceeing the award show for the fifth year in a row. Muser is chief of operations for Chicago’s Ever restaurant.
Here are the nominees:
Chef of the Year, presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water & Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water
Honoring culinary excellence and advancing the state of Chicago dining and the industry.
Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp (Honey Butter Fried Chicken)
John Manion (El Che Steakhouse & Bar, La Sirena Clandestina)
Anna and David Posey (Elske)
Erick Williams (Virtue Restaurant & Bar)
Previous winner: Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe, Marisol)
Restaurant of the Year, presented by the Illinois Restaurant Association
Honoring the standout restaurant of the year. (Nominees must have opened prior to December 2017.)
Brindille
mfk. restaurant
Oriole
Smyth
Previous winner: George Trois
Rising Chef of the Year
Honoring the most exciting talent to have arrived on the scene within the last two years.
Larry Feldmeier (the Albert)
Jess Galli (Middle Brow Bungalow)
Justin Moser (Table, Donkey and Stick)
Jose Sosa (Gibsons Italia)
Previous winner: Alisha Elenz (mfk. Restaurant)
Best New Restaurant
Honoring the most exciting new restaurant. (Nominees must have opened since November 2017.)
Galit
Jeong
Kyōten
wherewithall
Previous winner: S.K.Y.
Best Chef-de-Cuisine, presented by Sparrow Coffee Roastery
Honoring the names of tomorrow doing exceptional work in Chicago’s restaurants.
Justin Kaialoa (The Bristol)
Brianna Meyers (BOKA)
Mariya Russell (Kumiko | Kikkō)
Sahil Sethi (ROOH)
Previous winner: Ryan Pfeiffer (Blackbird)
Pastry Chef of the Year
Honoring the standouts who create the endings that ensure meals are memorable.
Jared Bacheller (Entente)
Craig Harzewski (Brindille)
Leigh Omilinsky (Bellemore, Cold Storage, Swift & Sons)
Chris Teixeira (The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group)
Previous winner: Nicole Guini (Blackbird)
Rising Pastry Chef of the Year, presented by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Honoring the rising talents in the world of pastry and dessert.
Juan Gutierrez (Longman & Eagle)
Amanda Hogue (Monteverde)
Jacquelyn Lopez (NoMI Kitchen)
Tatum Sinclair (S.K.Y.)
Previous winner: Elaine Townsend (Fat Rice)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Honoring the restaurants that help define their neighborhoods with excellence in food and service.
Café Marie – Jeanne
Le Sud
Munno Pizzeria & Bistro
Passerotto
Previous winner: Pizzeria Bebu
Best Heritage Restaurant
Honoring the restaurants working within a cultural tradition and heritage.
Bayan Ko
Cafe Istanbul
La Mom Kitchen
Xocome Antojeria
Previous winner: A Place BY DAMAO
Best Counter Service
Honoring casual dining experiences that stand out in creativity and execution.
Landbirds
Publican Quality Meats
Thattu
Tortello
Previous winner: Calumet Fisheries
Best Bar
Honoring the most exceptional and innovative establishments in beverage service.
Bar Sótano
Kumiko
Red & White Wine Bar
Scofflaw
Previous winner: Moody Tongue
Best Bartender, presented by Breakthru Beverage Illinois
Honoring the most creative and outstanding talents in preparing and serving beverages.
Kevin Beary (The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash)
Roger Landes and Lanie Bayless (Bar Sótano)
Juanjo Pulgarin (Vajra)
Lee Zaremba (Lazy Bird)
Previous winner: Stephanie Andrews (Billy Sunday)
Best Sommelier
Honoring the wine professional who stands out for the best program and presentation.
Marie Cheslik (Elske)
Aaron McManus (Oriole)
Richie Ribando (Smyth)
Matthew Sussman (Table, Donkey and Stick)
Previous winner: Jill Gubesch (Frontera Group)
Best Restaurant Service
Honoring the establishment providing the highest level of welcoming and helpful service.
Gibsons Italia
Naoki Sushi
S.K.Y.
Smyth
Previous winner: Temporis
Best Restaurant Design
Honoring the most creative and impressive design for a restaurant or other establishment.
Cabra Cevicheria
Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink
Tzuco
Virtue Restaurant & Bar
Previous winner: Pacific Standard Time
The Jean Banchet Culinary Achievement Award
Honoring a career in excellence and support of the Chicago restaurant community.
The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence has announced the nominees for its 2020 awards, which recognize culinary originality and talent in the Chicago area.
The winners across 15 categories — including Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Best New Restaurant and others — will be announced at the Jan. 19 Jean Banchet Awards, an event that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“Winning a Jean Banchet Award is often a predictor of even bigger accolades and national awards to come,” said Michael Muser, who will be emceeing the award show for the fifth year in a row. Muser is chief of operations for Chicago’s Ever restaurant.
Here are the nominees:
Chef of the Year, presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water & Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water
Honoring culinary excellence and advancing the state of Chicago dining and the industry.
Previous winner: Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe, Marisol)
Restaurant of the Year, presented by the Illinois Restaurant Association
Honoring the standout restaurant of the year. (Nominees must have opened prior to December 2017.)
Previous winner: George Trois
Rising Chef of the Year
Honoring the most exciting talent to have arrived on the scene within the last two years.
Previous winner: Alisha Elenz (mfk. Restaurant)
Best New Restaurant
Honoring the most exciting new restaurant. (Nominees must have opened since November 2017.)
Previous winner: S.K.Y.
Best Chef-de-Cuisine, presented by Sparrow Coffee Roastery
Honoring the names of tomorrow doing exceptional work in Chicago’s restaurants.
Previous winner: Ryan Pfeiffer (Blackbird)
Pastry Chef of the Year
Honoring the standouts who create the endings that ensure meals are memorable.
Previous winner: Nicole Guini (Blackbird)
Rising Pastry Chef of the Year, presented by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Honoring the rising talents in the world of pastry and dessert.
Previous winner: Elaine Townsend (Fat Rice)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Honoring the restaurants that help define their neighborhoods with excellence in food and service.
Previous winner: Pizzeria Bebu
Best Heritage Restaurant
Honoring the restaurants working within a cultural tradition and heritage.
Previous winner: A Place BY DAMAO
Best Counter Service
Honoring casual dining experiences that stand out in creativity and execution.
Previous winner: Calumet Fisheries
Best Bar
Honoring the most exceptional and innovative establishments in beverage service.
Previous winner: Moody Tongue
Best Bartender, presented by Breakthru Beverage Illinois
Honoring the most creative and outstanding talents in preparing and serving beverages.
Previous winner: Stephanie Andrews (Billy Sunday)
Best Sommelier
Honoring the wine professional who stands out for the best program and presentation.
Previous winner: Jill Gubesch (Frontera Group)
Best Restaurant Service
Honoring the establishment providing the highest level of welcoming and helpful service.
Previous winner: Temporis
Best Restaurant Design
Honoring the most creative and impressive design for a restaurant or other establishment.
Previous winner: Pacific Standard Time
The Jean Banchet Culinary Achievement Award
Honoring a career in excellence and support of the Chicago restaurant community.
2020 Honoree: Chef Ina Pinkney (Ina’s)
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