2027 Banchet Awards finalists announced, with ceremony moving to Harris Theater

The finalists for the 2027 Banchet Awards are out, offering Chicago diners a look at local talent across neighborhood restaurants, bakeries, bars and fine dining. Winners will be announced Jan. 31 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. The awards are marking their 25th year and moving from Venue SIX10 to the larger theater.

The Restaurant of the Year contenders are Asador Bastian, Brasero, Cellar Door Provisions and Maxwells Trading. Banchet Foundation Executive Director Michael Muser visited several nominees before the announcement to share the news personally, including the team at River North’s Asador Bastian. The foundation aims to recognize the range of the local dining scene, including businesses that may receive less attention from national awards.

For readers looking for more casual dining ideas, the nominations extend well beyond special-occasion restaurants. Albany Park’s Noodles Party is a Best Heritage Restaurant finalist alongside Lao Hu Tong, Mazor and Nadu. Best Counter Service nominees are Chomp Pizza, Seedo’s Levantine Bakery, Mayfair taco trailer No Pasa Nada and Turkish Doner. Cerdito Muerto, Il Mio, Spice by CMB and Torizen are competing for Best Neighborhood Restaurant.

Chef of the Year finalists are 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 of Muhājir, Lilac Tiger, Mirra, Sarima and Mariela. The Rising Chef of the Year category recognizes Alex Ching of Bonyeon, Alex Cochran of Cellar Door Provisions, Devin Denzer of Atsumeru and Tayler Ploshehanski of Creepies.

All Well, Creepies, Petite Edith and The Greggory are the Best New Restaurant finalists. Creepies, in the West Loop, therefore has nominations both for its restaurant and for Ploshehanski’s work. The pastry program contenders are Fat Peach Bakery, Guillotine Bakery, Smyth and Sugar Moon Bakery, giving baked goods and desserts their own place in the recognition.

Service and atmosphere also figure prominently in the awards. Anelya, Brindille, Obélix and West Town’s Perilla Fare are nominated for Best Hospitality. Best Design finalists are Adalina Prime, Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, The Hand & The Eye and Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen. Bar Bambi, Belmont Tavern, Culebra and Oliver’s are in contention for Bar of the Year.

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. Together with the hospitality, design and kitchen categories, those nominations recognize the different kinds of work that shape a restaurant visit.

Several special honors have already been announced. Chef Paul Kahan will receive the 2027 Culinary Excellence Award, while Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen will receive the 2027 Iconic Restaurant Award. Chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe will receive the first Environmental Leadership Award. In discussing that recognition, Stegner emphasized chefs’ ability to support environmental progress through their relationships with farmers, ingredient choices and restaurant operations.

According to Muser, an anonymous committee of dedicated dining enthusiasts selects the finalists. The awards take their name from chef Jean Banchet, whose Le Francais restaurant helped build the Chicago area’s culinary reputation in the 1970s and 1980s. The recently formed nonprofit behind the awards is also expanding its focus on year-round programming to develop and recognize local talent, extending its work beyond the annual ceremony.