Finalists Announced for the Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence
The nominees for Chicago's 2026 dining and drinking awards have been announced.
The Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, equivalent to the James Beard Awards, feature nominees in 12 categories, including Best New Restaurant and Chef of the Year, selected by an anonymous panel of food journalists and industry experts.
- Feld: Best New Restaurant and Best Hospitality
- Proxi: Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year
- Brasero: Chef of the Year and Sommelier of the Year
The January ceremony will also include the Culinary Excellence Award, honoring Grant Achatz for lifetime achievement, and the new Iconic Restaurant of the Year award for restaurants open over 25 years.
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Author's summary: Finalists announced for Chicago's culinary awards.