2025 Jean Banchet Award Finalists Highlight Chicago’s Top Chefs And Restaurants
The Jean Banchet Awards, Chicago’s premier food honors recognizing top local chefs and restaurants, announced its 2025 nominees on Monday. Alongside classic categories like Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Rising Chef, Best Sommelier, and Pastry Chef of the Year, the awards also feature a new and very Chicago Jean Banchet Award: Best Pizza. The nominees include Pistores, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan, Spacca Napoli Pizzeria, and Robert’s Pizza and Dough Co.
2025 Award Categories and Nominees:
Restaurant of the Year
- El Che Steakhouse & Bar
- Avec
- Elske
- Rose Mary
Chef of the Year
- Otto Phan (Kyoten)
- Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio)
- Stephen Gillanders (S.K.Y., Valhalla, and Apolonia)
- Kevin Hickey (The Duck Inn)
Best New Restaurant
- Carino
- 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
- Antonio Incandela (Mariscos San Pedro)
- Bo Durham (Mindy’s Bakery)
- TC Lumbar (Elske)
- Sarah Mispagel-Lustbader and Ben Lustbader (Loaf Lounge)
Bar of the Year
- Nine Bar
- Bisous
- Sepia
- Golden Years
Best Heritage Restaurant
- New Village Gastro Pub and Karaoke
- Stumara
- Ocean Grill and Bar
- Soul and Smoke
Sommelier of the Year
- Scott Stroemer (Galit)
- Jelena Prodan (S.K.Y., Valhalla, and Apolonia)
- Patti Robison (Acanto)
- Kat Hawkins (Miru, Tre Dita, and St. Regis Bar)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant
- Le Bouchon
- Bungalow by Middle Brow
- 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.
The winners for each category will be announced at a January 26 ceremony at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets will go on sale November 19.
