Banchet Awards 2027: Chicago names its chef of the year finalists
Jenner Tomaska, Zachary Engel, Zubair Mohajir and the John's Food & Wine pair compete for the top chef prize at the 25th edition, decided on 31 January.
The Banchet Awards announced their 2027 finalists on Wednesday 30 September, and four entries will compete for Chef of the Year: Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers of John's Food & Wine, Jenner Tomaska, Zachary Engel and Zubair Mohajir.
The awards, named after Jean Banchet, who ran Le Français in suburban Wheeling in the 1970s and 1980s, reach their 25th edition. Winners will be revealed on Sunday 31 January 2027 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph Street, a larger room than the South Loop venue used until now. NBC 5 will stream the ceremony live; general admission costs $250.
Two of the chef finalists already run kitchens on the AMUSE list of the best restaurants in Chicago: Tomaska at Esmé, which he follows with Petite Edith and The Alston, and Engel at Galit, now paired with Cafe Yaya. Mohajir is shortlisted for a portfolio of five places, from Muhājir and Lilac Tiger to Mirra, Sarima and Mariela.
In Chicago the same few kitchens keep reappearing, which says as much about depth as about taste.
Banchet Awards favour Cellar Door Provisions
Restaurant of the Year is between Asador Bastian, the River North steakhouse of Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen, Brasero, whose chef-owner John Manion won Chef of the Year in 2026, Cellar Door Provisions and Maxwells Trading. Cellar Door Provisions also has Alex Cochran in the Rising Chef category, alongside Alex Ching of Bonyeon, Devin Denzer of Atsumeru and Tayler Ploshehanski of Creepies.
Repetition is the pattern of the list. Creepies and Petite Edith appear again under Best New Restaurant, with All Well and The Greggory. Maxwells Trading returns through its sommelier, Olivia Duncan-Williams, who competes with Chris Farrell of Indienne, Claire McDonal of Avec and Nathan Ducker of Feld. Smyth, which recently named Conor Dalton head chef, is up for Pastry Program of the Year.
"Being included in the best restaurants in Chicago is being included in the best restaurants in the country," Psaltis told WBEZ. Finalists are chosen by an anonymous committee, according to Michael Muser, executive director of the Banchet Foundation.
Paul Kahan and Manny's take the honours
Three of the Banchet Awards are not competitive. Paul Kahan, executive chef and partner of One Off Hospitality, behind Avec, The Publican, Big Star and Dove's Luncheonette, receives the Culinary Excellence Award. Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen, on the Near West Side for more than 80 years, is named Iconic Restaurant. Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe takes the first Environmental Leadership Award.
The foundation became a nonprofit this year and is adding programmes beyond the gala, while the James Beard Awards weigh a move away from Chicago. If they go, the Banchet Awards become the main night on which the city's kitchens are judged at home.
