THE BANCHET AWARDS 2027
What to know
Celebrating 25 Years of The Banchet Awards
The Banchet Awards returns on Sunday, January 31, 2027, taking the celebration to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance for its milestone anniversary. This new home creates a larger stage for the chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals whose talent, leadership and creativity make Chicago one of the world’s great dining cities.
Hosted by the newly established Banchet Foundation, the evening will celebrate excellence across Chicago’s food and beverage community while honoring the legacy of Chef Jean Banchet, whose groundbreaking work at Le Français helped establish Chicago as a world-class culinary destination.
Honoring Two Chicago Legends
Chef Paul Kahan will receive the 2027 Culinary Excellence Award in recognition of his extraordinary impact on Chicago’s restaurant community. From the groundbreaking Blackbird to avec, The Publican, Big Star and Dove’s Luncheonette, Kahan has helped shape how Chicago eats while mentoring generations of hospitality professionals.
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen will receive the 2027 Iconic Restaurant Award. For more than eight decades, the family-owned institution has welcomed generations of Chicagoans and visitors with timeless food, genuine hospitality and unmistakable character.
A New Chapter for the Banchet Foundation
The 25th anniversary also marks an exciting new chapter for the organization. The Banchet Foundation is now a nonprofit dedicated to creating a healthier, more sustainable food system and supporting the next generation of culinary professionals through mentorship, education and job training.
The Banchet Awards will remain at the heart of that mission, alongside new year-round programming designed to serve and strengthen Chicago’s culinary community.
Watch Live with NBC 5 Chicago
For the second consecutive year, audiences near and far will be able to watch The Banchet Awards live through our digital streaming partnership with NBC 5 Chicago.
The ceremony will stream on the NBC 5 Chicago News streaming channel on Roku, Peacock, Xumo and other major platforms, as well as NBCChicago.com, the NBC Chicago app and the NBC Chicago YouTube channel.
More to Come
Tickets will go on sale in early fall, when the final four nominees in each award category and additional details for the 2027 celebration will also be announced.
Save the date and join us as we celebrate 25 years of Chicago culinary excellence.
2027 Culinary Excellence Award
Chef Paul Kahan
“It’s an incredible honor to accept The Banchets’ Culinary Excellence Award,” Kahan said.
“But this recognition really isn’t about me. So many talented people have been part of this journey, from my partners and the people who have worked alongside us over the years to the family farmers and producers we’re so tremendously proud to work with. Chicago is a fantastic restaurant city, and I’m grateful to have played a small part in what makes this industry so special.”
2027 Iconic Restaurant Award
“Manny’s has always been a place where everyone feels welcome and generations of families gather,” said Dan Raskin, fourth-generation owner-operator of Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen.
“This honor belongs to the generations of our family who came before us, our incredible employees, and the loyal customers who have made Manny’s what it is today. We are deeply honored to have our history recognized by the Banchet Foundation.”
2027 Sponsorship opportunities
