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Jean Banchet Awards
The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence is the only Chicago-based awards presentation that recognizes and rewards culinary originality and talent in the Chicagoland area. Forty-four exceptional chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, restaurants and catering companies will vie for the annual Chicago awards and once again the nominating process will be open to the public. The top four names in each category will become the 2012 Jean Banchet nominees. The winners for each category will be selected by all participating and nominated chefs voting by secret ballot. The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence will be presented on Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Grand Chefs Gala.
2012 JEAN BANCHET AWARD WINNERS
Chef of the Year
Matthias Merges, Yusho
Pastry Chef of the Year
Sarah Jordan, BOKA
Chef-de-Cuisine
David Posey, Blackbird
Rising Chef
Chris Nugent, Goosefoot
Rising Pastry Chef
Leigh Omilinsky, Café des Architectes
Matthias Merges, Yusho
Pastry Chef of the Year
Sarah Jordan, BOKA
Chef-de-Cuisine
David Posey, Blackbird
Rising Chef
Chris Nugent, Goosefoot
Rising Pastry Chef
Leigh Omilinsky, Café des Architectes
Best Sommelier
Jason Prah, Acadia
Best Mixologist
Ben Schiller
Best Restaurant
Sepia
Best Restaurant Service
Alinea
Best New Restaurant
Acadia
Best Catering Company
BOKA Catering
Jason Prah, Acadia
Best Mixologist
Ben Schiller
Best Restaurant
Sepia
Best Restaurant Service
Alinea
Best New Restaurant
Acadia
Best Catering Company
BOKA Catering
2011 JEAN BANCHET AWARD NOMINEES
Chef of the Year:
Giuseppe Tentori, GT Fish & Oyster
Pastry Chef of the Year : Amanda Rockman, The Bristol
Chef-de-Cuisine: Dave Beran, Next
Rising Chef: Chris Macchia, Coco Pazzo
Rising Pastry Chef: Sarah Jordan, BOKA
Eurest People's Choice Award
Jimmy Bannos, Jr., The Purple Pig
Best Sommelier; Michael Muser, The Peninsula Chicago
Best Mixologist: Josh Pearson, Sepia
Best Neighborhood Restaurant: The Bristol
Best Fine Dining: Next
Best New Restaurant: Next
Best Catering Company: Limelight
2010 JEAN BANCHET AWARD WINNERS
Celebrity Chef: Curtis Duffy, Avenues
Celebrity Pastry Chef: Patrick Fahy, Blackbird
Chef-de-Cuisine: Koren Grieveson, Avec
Rising Chef: Chris Pandel, The Bristol
Rising Pastry Chef: Amanda Rockman, The Bristol
Best Sommelier: Rachael Lowe, Sixteen
Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Kith & Kin, Andrew Brochu
Best Fine Dining: Alinea, Grant Achatz
Best Catering Company: Berghoff Catering
People’s Choice Award: Jim Chapman, Eurest Dining Services