Chicago’s hottest restaurants and chefs make the 2027 Banchet finalist list

Chicago’s culinary community has another reason to celebrate as the finalists for the 2027 Banchet Awards have been announced, putting some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants, chefs and hospitality professionals in the spotlight.

Now in its 25th year, the Banchet Awards will recognize Chicago’s culinary talent on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027, with the ceremony moving to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in the Loop. The move gives the annual celebration a considerably larger stage as the Banchet Foundation continues expanding its work beyond the awards themselves.

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And this year’s list offers plenty to talk about. The finalists stretch from destination restaurants to neighborhood favorites and newer spots making their mark. In the Restaurant of the Year category, the contenders are Asador Bastian, Brasero, Cellar Door Provisions and Maxwells Trading.

The Chef of the Year field includes Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers of John’s Food & Wine; Jenner Tomaska of Esmé, Petite Edith and The Alston; Zachary Engel of Galit and Cafe Yaya; and Zubair Mohajir, whose restaurant portfolio includes Muhājir, Lilac Tiger, Mirra, Sarima and Mariela.

The Best New Restaurant category puts All Well, Creepies, Petite Edith and The Greggory in the spotlight, while the Rising Chef of the Year finalists are Alex Ching of Bonyeon, Alex Cochran of Cellar Door Provisions, Devin Denzer of Atsumeru and Tayler Ploshehanski of Creepies.

There is plenty of neighborhood flavor in the remaining categories, too. Cerdito Muerto, Il Mio, Spice by CMB and Torizen are finalists for Best Neighborhood Restaurant. Best Heritage Restaurant recognizes Lao Hu Tong, Mazor, Nadu and Noodles Party.

For diners who prefer a more casual approach, the Best Counter Service category features Chomp Pizza, Seedo’s Levantine Bakery, No Pasa Nada and Turkish Doner.

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The awards also shine a light on the people working behind the scenes to make Chicago dining memorable. Pastry Program of the Year finalists include Fat Peach Bakery, Guillotine Bakery, Smyth and Sugar Moon Bakery. Bar of the Year nominees are Bar Bambi, Belmont Tavern, Culebra and Oliver’s.

The Sommelier of the Year finalists are Chris Farrell of Indienne, Claire McDonal of Avec, Nathan Ducker of Feld and Olivia Duncan-Williams of Maxwells Trading.

Hospitality gets its own spotlight with Anelya, Brindille, Obélix and Perilla Fare named as finalists, while Adalina Prime, Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, The Hand & The Eye and Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen will compete for Best Design.

Several special honors have already been decided.

Chef Paul Kahan will receive the 2027 Culinary Excellence Award, recognizing his long career and influence on Chicago’s restaurant community. Kahan is a partner and executive chef of One Off Hospitality Group, whose restaurants include Avec, The Publican and Big Star.

Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen will receive the Iconic Restaurant Award. The family-run Near West Side institution has been serving generations of Chicagoans for more than eight decades.

A new Environmental Leadership Award will also debut this year, with Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe as its inaugural recipient. The award recognizes the increasingly important connection between restaurants, farmers, producers and sustainable practices.

The Banchet Awards are named for legendary chef Jean Banchet, whose Le Français restaurant in Wheeling helped put Chicago-area dining on the national culinary map. The awards have grown into an annual celebration of the people and places shaping the region’s food culture.

The 25th annual Banchet Awards will take place Jan. 31 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. The evening will begin with a red carpet and champagne reception, followed by the awards ceremony and an after-party. Tickets are expected to go on sale later this fall.

Sources:

• Chicago Sun-Times coverage of the 2027 Banchet Awards finalists

• NBC Chicago coverage of the 2027 Banchet Awards

• Harris Theater event information

• Chicago Sun-Times announcement of Paul Kahan and Manny’s honors