The Banchet Awards are an annual celebration of culinary excellence in Chicago, gathering Chicagoland’s foremost chefs, culinary and beverage professionals, and restaurant enthusiasts.  It is the sole Chicago-based awards ceremony that honors both originality and talent within the region. Named after Chef Jean Banchet, and with the loving support of his devoted wife Doris, the Banchet Foundation and Awards pay homage to his legacy with the goal of supporting the Chicagoland restaurant community.

Michael Muser, Executive Director of the Jean Banchet Awards, is a renowned restaurateur, award-winning sommelier, and has been a leading figure in Chicago hospitality for over 30 years.  The importance of celebrating and honoring Chicago hospitality led to Michael’s involvement in the Banchet Awards in 2013 and he has continued to host the event for more than a decade.  Each year brings new chefs, new sommeliers, new restaurants, and new quirky stunts to the evening but will continue to pay honor to Chef Banchet and the restaurant community that he helped develop.