The Jean Banchet Awards, Chicago’s premier culinary honors, have released their nominees for the 2025 ceremony.
The award show recognizes local culinary institutions and professionals across a range of categories, including Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Best New Restaurant.
New for 2025, the Banchets have added a Best Pizza award.
This year’s picks represent the cream of the crop when it comes to Chicago dining, with familiar names live Avec, Elske, and John’s Food and Wine all up for prestigious awards. Here’s the full list of nominees for 2025:
Restaurant of the Year
El Che Steakhouse & Bar
Avec
Elske
Rose Mary
Chef of the Year
Otto Phan (Kyǒten)
Sarah Gruenberg (Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio)
Stephen Gillanders (S.K.Y., Valhalla & Apolonia)
Kevin Hickey (The Duck Inn)
Best News Restaurant
Cariño
Brasero
John’s Food and Wine
Oliver’s
Rising Chef
Chris Jung (Maxwell’s Trading)
Mike Satinover (Akahoshi Ramen)
Madalyn Durrant (Bar Parisette)
John Dahlstrom (Nettare)
Pastry Chef of the Year
Antonia Incandela (Mariscos San Pedro)
Bo Durham (Mindy’s Bakery)
Tc Lumbar (Elske)
Sarah Mispagel-Lustbader & Ben Lustbader (Loaf Lounge)
Bar of the Year
Nine Bar
Bisous
Sepia
Golden Years
Best Heritage Restaurant
New Village Gastropub & Karaoke
Stumara
Ocean Grill & Bar
Soul & Smoke
Sommelier of the Year
Scott Stroemer (Galit)
Jelena Prodan (S.K.Y., Valhalla & Apolonia)
Patti Robison (Acanto)
Kat Hawkins (Miru, Tre Dita, St. Regis Bar)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Le Bouchon
Bungalow by Middlebrow
Kie-Gol-Lanee
Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern
Best Counter Service
Migos Fine Foods
Ragadan
Santa Masa Tamaleria
J.P. Graziano Grocery
Best Design
Tre Dita
Bazaar Meat
Brasero
Perilla Steakhouse
Best Hospitality
Brindille
Jeong
Anelya
Dear Margaret
Best Pizza
Pistores
Milly’s Pizza In The Pan
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
Robert’s Pizza and Dough Co.