Oct. 30--The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, which honor culinary distinction in the Chicago area, announced its nominees Thursday.
There are four nominees in each of the 12 restaurant and chef categories; this year, for the first time, public input was used as part of the decision-making process.
In the highly prized chef of the year category, nominees are Abraham Conlon of Fat Rice, Thomas Lents of Sixteen, Chris Pandel of Balena and The Bristol and Lee Wolen of Boka. In the rising chef of the year category, which recognizes up-and-coming talent, the nominees are Ashlee Aubin of Salero, Jake Bickelhaupt of 42 Grams, Noah Sandoval of Senza and Nathan Sears of The Radler.
Other nominees are listed below. The winners, who will be chosen in a secret ballot by culinary professionals, will be announced on Jan. 30, 2015, at the Annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Grand Chefs Gala, held at the Fairmont Chicago.
Restaurant of the year: L2O, Boka, El Ideas, Moto
Best new restaurant: 42 Grams, Parachute, Tete Charcuterie, Salero
Best neighborhood restaurant: A10, Dusek's, Owen Engine, La Sirena Clandestina.
Pastry chef of the year: Dana Cree (Blackbird), Claire Crenshaw (Moto), Meg Galus (NoMI Kitchen), Greg Mosko (North Pond).
Rising pastry chef of the year: Sarah Koechling (Balena, The Bristol), Genie Kwon (Boka), Megan Miller (Baker Miller Bakery Millhouse), Jonathan Ory (Bad Wolf Coffee)
Best chef-de-cuisine: Chris Marchino (Spiaggia), Ali Ratcliffe-Bauer (Brindille), John Vermiglio (A10), Erling Wu-Bower (Nico Osteria)
Best sommelier: Charles Ford (The Bristol), Arthur Hon (Sepia), Elizabeth Mendez (Vera), Dan Pilkey (Sixteen)
Best mixologist: Alex Bachmann (Billy Sunday), Bradley Bolt (Bar Deville), Mike Ryan (Sable Kitchen Bar), Krissy Schutte (CH Distillery)
Best restaurant design: Boka, Celeste, Momotaro, The Radler
Best restaurant service: Boka, Embeya, Senza, Sixteen
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