2020 Jean Banchet Award nominations announced; Ina Pinkney to receive special honor

The nominees for the 2020 Jean Banchet Awards, which recognize innovators in the Chicago-area restaurant scene, were announced Wednesday.

Named for the late chef who helmed the globally acclaimed Le Francais restaurant in Wheeling in the 1970s and 1980s where Banchet transformed French cuisine into an artform, the awards recognize the achievements of both established chefs and newcomers, as well as bartending, restaurant design and service.

This year’s 60 nominees in 15 categories were voted on by the area’s culinary community, “more than 2,500 members of the public, as well as by a carefully selected panel composed of experienced diners, food and beverage journalists, and representatives from the hospitality world,” according to the official announcement. The panel makes the final decisions on nominees and the winners.

In addition, the 2020 Jean Banchet Culinary Achievement Award honoring “a career in excellence” will be presented to legendary Chicago chef/restaurateur Ina Pinkney, whose namesake restaurant graced the West Loop for 33 years before closing in 2013.

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Jan. 19, 2020, an annual event benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The evening, hosted by Ever restaurant chief of operations Michael Muser, takes place at Venue Six10 (610 S. Michigan). Tickets, starting at $100, can be purchased at events.cff.org/jeanbanchetawards.

Here’s the list of this year’s nominees:

Chef of the Year (honoring culinary excellence and advancing the state of Chicago dining and the industry):

• Christine Cikowski and Joshua Kulp (Honey Butter Fried Chicken)
• John Manion (El Che Steakhouse & Bar, La Sirena Clandestina)
• Anna and David Posey (Elske)
• Erick Williams (Virtue Restaurant & Bar)

Ji Suk Yi/Sun-Times

Restaurant of the Year (honoring the standout restaurant of the year. (Nominees must have opened prior to December 2017):

• Brindille
• mfk. restaurant
• Oriole
• Smyth

Rising Chef of the Year (honoring the most exciting talent to have arrived on the scene within the last two years):

• Larry Feldmeier (the Albert)
• Jess Galli (Middle Brow Bungalow)
• Justin Moser (Table, Donkey and Stick)
• Jose Sosa (Gibsons Italia)

Best New Restaurant (honoring the most exciting new restaurant. (Nominees must have opened since November 2017):

• Galit
• Jeong
• Kyōten
• wherewithall

Best Chef-de-Cuisine (honoring the names of tomorrow doing exceptional work in Chicago’s restaurants):

• Justin Kaialoa (The Bristol)
• Brianna Meyers (BOKA)
• Mariya Russell (Kumiko | Kikkō)
• Sahil Sethi (ROOH)

Pastry Chef of the Year (honoring the standouts who create the endings that ensure meals are memorable):

• Jared Bacheller (Entente)
• Craig Harzewski (Brindille)
• Leigh Omilinsky (Bellemore, Cold Storage, Swift & Sons)
• Chris Teixeira (The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group)

Stephen Hamilton, courtesy of Agate Publishing

Rising Pastry Chef of the Year (honoring the rising talents in the world of pastry and dessert):

• Juan Gutierrez (Longman & Eagle)
• Amanda Hogue (Monteverde)
• Jacquelyn Lopez (NoMI Kitchen)
• Tatum Sinclair (S.K.Y.)

Best Neighborhood Restaurant (honoring the restaurants that help define their neighborhoods with excellence in food and service):

• Café Marie – Jeanne
• Le Sud
• Munno Pizzeria & Bistro
• Passerotto

Best Heritage Restaurant (honoring the restaurants working within a cultural tradition and heritage):

• Bayan Ko
• Cafe Istanbul
• La Mom Kitchen
• Xocome Antojeria

Best Counter Service (honoring casual dining experiences that stand out in creativity and execution):

• Landbirds
• Publican Quality Meats
• Thattu
• Tortello

Best Bar (honoring the most exceptional and innovative establishments in beverage service):

• Bar Sótano
• Kumiko
• Red & White Wine Bar
• Scofflaw

Best Bartender (honoring the most creative and outstanding talents in preparing and serving beverages):

• Kevin Beary (The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash)
• Roger Landes and Lanie Bayless (Bar Sótano)
• Juanjo Pulgarin (Vajra)
• Lee Zaremba (Lazy Bird)

Best Sommelier (honoring the wine professional who stands out for the best program and presentation):

• Marie Cheslik (Elske)
• Aaron McManus (Oriole)
• Richie Ribando (Smyth)
• Matthew Sussman (Table, Donkey and Stick)

Best Restaurant Service (honoring the establishment providing the highest level of welcoming and helpful service):

• Gibsons Italia
• Naoki Sushi
• S.K.Y.
• Smyth

Best Restaurant Design (honoring the most creative and impressive design for a restaurant or other establishment):

• Cabra Cevicheria
• Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink
• Tzuco
• Virtue Restaurant & Bar