The Banchet Awards will celebrate its 25th anniversary Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, marking an exciting new chapter for Chicago’s premier celebration of culinary excellence.
Chef Paul Kahan will receive the 2027 Culinary Excellence Award, and Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen will receive the 2027 Iconic Restaurant Award.
Hosted by The Banchet Foundation, The Banchet Awards recognizes the chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals whose talent, leadership and creativity continue to shape Chicago’s dining culture. Named for Chef Jean Banchet, whose work at Le Français helped establish Chicago as a world-class dining destination, the Awards celebrates excellence across the region’s food and beverage community.
The Banchet Foundation is a newly established nonprofit dedicated to creating a healthier, more sustainable food system and fostering the next generation of culinary professionals through mentorship, education and job training. In addition to hosting The Banchet Awards, the Foundation will develop year-round programming to advance its mission.
“The Banchets has always been about restaurants supporting restaurants,” said Michael Muser, Executive Director of the Banchet Foundation. “Becoming a nonprofit allows us to build on that mission and do more for the community we celebrate. Moving to the Harris Theater gives us a larger, iconic stage worthy of Chicago’s extraordinary culinary talent and allows even more people to be part of this special night.”
Chef Paul Kahan will receive the Culinary Excellence Award for his extraordinary impact on Chicago’s restaurant community. From the groundbreaking Blackbird to One Off Hospitality’s acclaimed restaurants, including avec, The Publican, Big Star and Dove’s Luncheonette, Kahan has shaped how Chicago eats while mentoring generations of hospitality professionals.
“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.”
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen will receive the Iconic Restaurant Award, honoring its extraordinary legacy as one of Chicago’s most enduring gathering places. For more than eight decades, the family-owned restaurant has welcomed generations of Chicagoans and visitors with its timeless food, warm hospitality and unmistakable character.
“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.”
For the second straight year, audiences around the world will be able to watch The Banchet Awards through a digital streaming partnership with NBC 5 Chicago. The ceremony will stream live on the NBC 5 Chicago News streaming channel on Roku, Peacock, Xumo and other major streaming platforms, as well as NBCChicago.com, the NBC Chicago app and the NBC Chicago YouTube channel.
“NBC 5 Chicago is proud to partner once again with the Banchet Awards to honor the extraordinary talent, innovation, and dedication that have made Chicago one of the world’s premier culinary destinations,” said Lisa Balde, Vice President of Digital Media, NBCUniversal Local Chicago. “Streaming this unique, first-class event on multiple digital platforms allows us to bring Chicago’s culinary community to audiences wherever they are, highlighting the personalities and stories behind one of our city’s most celebrated industries.”
Tickets for The Banchet Awards will go on sale in early fall, when the final four nominees in each award category and additional event details will also be announced.
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