The 2024 Jean Banchet Award winners revealed

Chicago's culinary landscape took center stage at the 2024 Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, where outstanding chefs and restaurants were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the local food scene.

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.

This year's Banchet Awards partnered with Chicago Chefs Cook, a nonprofit which unifies Chicago's culinary community to provide humanitarian relief locally and globally. Led by chef Sarah Stegner, Eda Davidman, Jodi Fyfe, Melissa Clark, and Darren Gest, the organization has raised over $1 million since its inception in 2022.

Chicago Chefs Cook selected the Virtue Leadership Development Program as the charity beneficiary for this year's awards show. Established by Chef Erick Williams (Virtue restaurant), the 2022 Jean Banchet Chef of the Year, the program will receive a portion of the event's proceeds. This initiative focuses on equipping local young adults of color with skills in value-driven entrepreneurship through hands-on training at the restaurant.

The Banchet Awards exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that defines Chicago's vibrant and socially conscious food community.

Winners and nominees are listed below. Winners in each category are starred:  

Restaurant of the Year 

*Galit - Winner

Kyōten

Jeong

Daisies

Chef of the Year

*Paul Virant - Winner

Paul Fehribach

Genie Kwon and Tim Flores

Stephen Gillanders

Best New Restaurant

*Indienne - Winner

Valhalla

Warlord

Obélix

Rising Chef of the Year

*Trevor Fleming  - Winner

Emily Kraszyk

John Lupton

Margaret Pak

Christian Hunter

Damarr Brown

Bar of the Year

*Best Intentions - Winner

Meadowlark

Cherry Circle Room

Scofflaw

Pastry Chef of the Year

*Tatum Sinclair - Winner

Maya-Camille Broussard

Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten

Erin Kobler

Sommelier of the Year

*Christian Shaum - Winner

Daniel Bennett

Alex Cuper

Amber Pike

Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year

*Pompette - Winner

Boeufhaus

Torchio Pasta Bar

Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern

Heritage Restaurant of the Year

*Rubi’s on 18th - Winner

Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant

Tuk Tuk Thai Isan Street Food

Thalaiva’s Indian Kitchen

Best Counter Service

*Omarcitos Latin Café - Winner

Loaf Lounge

Flour Power

JT’s Genuine Sandwich Shop

Best Hospitality

*Bronzeville Winery - Winner

Dear Margaret

Smyth

DeNucci’s

Best Restaurant Design

*The Omakase Room at Sushi-San - Winner

Fioretta

Bistro Monadnock

Warlord

Culinary Excellence of the Year Award

*Phil Vettel