2026 AWARD WINNERS CULINARY EXCELLENCE OF THE YEAR Grant Achatz restaurant of the year Indienne NOMINEESCELLAR DOOR PROVISIONSHAISOUS VIETNAMESE KITCHENPROXI Chef of the year John Manion – El Che, Brasero NOMINEESZubair Mohajir – Lilac Tiger, The Coach House, Mirra, SarimaJennifer Kim – ProxiAndrew Lim – Perilla Fare, Perilla Steak, Noriko Handroll Bar BEST NEW RESTAURANT Feld NOMINEESCafe YayaIl CarciofoVoid RISING CHEF Javauneeka Jacobs – Frontera Grill NOMINEESAlex Cochran – Cellar Door ProvisionsBailey Sullivan – Monteverde Restaurant & PastificioCésar Murillo – North Pond PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR Justin Lerias – Del Sur Bakery NOMINEESCourtney Kenyon-Snider – Obélix, Le BouchonMary Eder-McClure – Galit and Cafe YayaDedra Simmons – Pookie Crack Cakes Bar / Beverage Program of the Year Gus’ Sip & Dip – Kevin Beary and Scott Kitsmiller NOMINEESCantina Rosa – Maria RodriguezDaisies – Nicole YarovinskyElske – Monica Casillas-Rios BEST HERITAGE RESTAURANT Nine Garden (Chinatown) NOMINEESM’daKhan (Bridgeview)Tesfa Ethiopian CuisineTorizen (Schaumburg) BEST COUNTER SERVICE Sanders BBQ Supply NOMINEESMIGOS FINE FOODSRendang RepublicTaquizas Valdez BEST NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT Mahari NOMINEESBungalow by Middle BrowCoda di VolpeMaplewood Brewery & Distillery Lounge SOMMELIER of the year Alex Cuper – El Che, Brasero NOMINEESEmily Sher – ElskeJonas Bittencourt – Class ActOwen Huzar – John’s Food & Wine BEST HOSPITALITY Feld NOMINEESAsador BastianMinyoliPerilla Fare Iconic Restaurant (25+ years) Gene & Georgetti BEST DESIGN The Alston NOMINEESAdalina PrimeMatilda Noriko Handroll Bar
