The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence were announced Sunday, crowning Chicago’s top restaurants and chefs in coveted categories and bringing over 400 industry insiders together at Venue SIX10. The award categories have evolved over the years into something that represents the city’s diverse and vibrant culinary scene, Banchet host Michael Muser said, and this year’s Best New Restaurant, Cariño, showcases all that and more. In just 12 months, the modernist Latin-inspired tasting menu and taco omakase restaurant in Uptown has snagged a Michelin star, a James Beard semifinalist nomination and a Jean Banchet award for Best New Restaurant. Norman Fenton, chef and co-owner of Cariño, said it’s all a bit surreal: “I could never have imagined this.” The winners are chosen by an anonymous panel of over 10 people who are food journalists, professionals in the food and beverage space, and “hardcore local foodies.” Tap on our bio link to see the full list. —— Photo 1: Chef of the Year winner Otto Phan of @kyotenchicago seen on Aug. 24, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Photo 2: @maxwellstrading executive chef Chris Jung seen on Sep. 11, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Photo 3: Chef/owner Norman Fenton talks to diners at the chef’s counter at @carino_chicago, on Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Photo 4: French bistro @bouchonchicago. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Photo 5: @dearmargaretchi Executive Chef Ryan Brosseau runs an order out to customers at the Lakeview neighborhood restaurant in Chicago on Jan. 16, 2025. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Photo 6: The bar at @treditarestaurant on East Wacker Drive in Chicago, on March 18, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Photo 7: Falafel on a ka’ak sesame loaf at the falafel and burger spot @ragadanrestaurant on Oct. 25, 2022, in Uptown. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) ? Zareen Syed / Chicago Tribune

The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence were announced Sunday, crowning Chicago’s top restaurants and chefs in coveted categories and bringing over 400 industry insiders together at Venue SIX10.

The award categories have evolved over the years into something that represents the city’s diverse and vibrant culinary scene, Banchet host Michael Muser said, and this year’s Best New Restaurant, Cariño, showcases all that and more.

In just 12 months, the modernist Latin-inspired tasting menu and taco omakase restaurant in Uptown has snagged a Michelin star, a James Beard semifinalist nomination and a Jean Banchet award for Best New Restaurant. Norman Fenton, chef and co-owner of Cariño, said it’s all a bit surreal: “I could never have imagined this.”

The winners are chosen by an anonymous panel of over 10 people who are food journalists, professionals in the food and beverage space, and “hardcore local foodies.”

Tap on our bio link to see the full list.

——

Photo 1: Chef of the Year winner Otto Phan of @kyotenchicago seen on Aug. 24, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 2: @maxwellstrading executive chef Chris Jung seen on Sep. 11, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 3: Chef/owner Norman Fenton talks to diners at the chef’s counter at @carino_chicago, on Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 4: French bistro @bouchonchicago. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 5: @dearmargaretchi Executive Chef Ryan Brosseau runs an order out to customers at the Lakeview neighborhood restaurant in Chicago on Jan. 16, 2025. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 6: The bar at @treditarestaurant on East Wacker Drive in Chicago, on March 18, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Photo 7: Falafel on a ka’ak sesame loaf at the falafel and burger spot @ragadanrestaurant on Oct. 25, 2022, in Uptown. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

? Zareen Syed / Chicago Tribune