The city's top tables and chefs were recognized at the Jean Banchet Awards, which hoisted high Galit as Restaurant of the Year and anointed Paul Virant as Chef of the Year at a ceremony in Venue SIX10. Chicago Food Magazine reported the accolades this January 28, putting a spotlight on the crème de la crème of the Windy City's dining scene.
Although the awards took a brief hiatus in 2023, voters, composed of a committee of local chefs and tastemakers, returned with renewed vigor and a new charitable mission. The upscale Middle Eastern spot, Galit, helmed by Michelin-starred chefs Zach Engel, and Andres Clavero, grabbed the top restaurant honors. Engel, having previously snatched the title of Rising Chef of the Year at the James Beard Awards in 2017, is no stranger to the winner's circle. During a heartfelt acceptance, Clavero highlighted the continued effort to "share stories of those that are unheard and food that is meaningful," as detailed in Eater Chicago.
The accolades poured over to Chef Paul Virant, celebrated for steering culinary delights like Gaijin and Vistro Prime. Virant, who has penned cookbooks and served as a mentor to many chefs, including those behind his former hot spots, Perrenial Virant and Vie, faced roaring applause upon winning Chef of the Year. It's no small feat considering the city's dense landscape of culinary talent.
One moment everyone in attendance won't forget came from Phil Vettel, the former Chicago Tribune food critic, who upon receiving the Culinary Excellence of the Year Award, shared with the crowd his bee metaphor, likening his career to a forager bee, "which tells all the other bees 'follow me I know where the good shit is.'" Calls to remember the difference between equity and equality in dining spaces echoed from Erick Williams of Virtue, whose leadership program was the beneficiary of this year’s awards show as per Chicago Food Magazine.
Adding to the evening's emotional charge, Rubi's on 18th earned the title of Heritage Restaurant of the Year with owner Gilberto Ramirez dedicating a teary-eyed "I love Chicago" to those in attendance, which got the loudest applause of the night, as reported by Eater Chicago. The awards partnered with the charitable organization Chicago Chefs Cook, aiming to unify the local culinary community, and has already stuffed their coffers with a hefty $1 million to aid those caught in crises, underscoring the event's core mission that beyond the glitz and glam, there's an earnest drive to feed and foster communities.
