Last night, top Chicago chefs and food influencers gathered for the Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It’s kind of like the Oscars for local restaurants and bars. The equivalent of Best Picture is Restaurant of the Year, while the honor of winning Chef of the Year is sort of like taking home the Best Actor or Actress title.
Fat Rice, The Blanchard, Billy Sunday and Sportsman’s Club were among the winners at this year’s ceremony. The complete list, which includes 13 titles, reads like a bucket list of spots you need to visit this year if you haven’t already. Below, the winners for each category and your guide on where to eat and drink in 2016.
Restaurant of the Year: Fat Rice
Chef of the Year: Chris Pandel (Bristol, Balena)
More Top Picks Best Marine Depth Finders
Best New Restaurant: The Blanchard
Rising Chef of the Year: Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark (Parachute)
Pastry Chef of the Year: Sandra Holl (Floriole)
Best Chef-de-Cuisine: Tony Quartaro (Formento’s)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant: mfk.
Rising Pastry Chef of the Year: Kelly Helgesen (Lula Cafe)
Best Sommelier: Elizabeth Mendez (Vera)
Best Mixologist: Jacyara De Oliveira (Sportsman’s Club)
Best Restaurant Service: Billy Sunday
Best Restaurant Design: Cherry Circle Room
Best Ethnic Restaurant: Birrieria Zaragoza