It’s a big week for Chicago’s restaurant and hospitality community! This Sunday evening, January 28th, The Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence are back in partnership with local non-profit, Chicago Chefs Cook, to present a glam-filled awards show & pre-show/post show after parties, all in the name of charity.
The Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, in partnership with Chicago Chefs Cook, celebrates and recognizes Chicago’s dynamic culinary community and world class hospitality leaders. The glam-filled evening, hosted by hospitality veteran Michael Muser of two-star MICHELIN restaurant Ever and cocktail lounge After, will recognize the city’s top restaurant and bar innovators in 12 distinct categories, representing the current year’s best in class in Chicago, including awards for chefs, heritage restaurants, sommeliers, bars, rising stars, restaurant design, hospitality and more.
The night will also honor Chicago Tribune’s long-running former restaurant & dining critic Phil Vettel with the “Banchet Award for Culinary Excellence of the Year”, a lifetime achievement award for his legendary contributions to the culinary industry. Vettel helped set Chicago’s reputation as a global culinary destination and promoted the rise of many young chefs who have built the industry we know today.
Presenters for the evening’s awards include Chicago industry legends like Jason Hammel (Lula Café) and James Beard Award-winning Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille), TV stars like Netflix’s ‘School of Chocolate’ winner Juan Gutierrez (The St. Regis), industry podcast hosts Tim Tierney and Danny Shapiro of the Joiners Podcast, iconic restaurant figures like “Chicago’s Breakfast Queen” Ina Pinkney and Gary Obligacion (The Alinea Group) and many more. A full list of nominees is available via the Chicago Tribune.
