The Eater Awards 2010 Chicago Winners

It is time now—horns, trumpets, fanfare, fireworks, dancing acrobats—to annouce the winners of the Eater Awards for the year 2010, presented by GREY GOOSE. In 50 categories spanning seven cities, the winners comprise a diverse bunch of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts....

To recap, Eater's local editors in NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Portland, Austin, and Miami nominated candidates for four major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, and Shaker of the Year. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team picked a winner. In very rare cases, we exercised Rule 17, Sub. 19, which allows for veto of the popular vote. (This rule was used just once in 2010.) In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.

Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Downtown Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes—and some other goodies. And now, for real, without further ado, the winners:

Eater Awards 2010 -- Chicago

Restaurant of the Year, Chicago
Nominees: Alinea, Avec, Gaztro-Wagon, Girl & The Goat, Longman & Eagle, M Burger, Purple Pig
Finalists: Girl & The Goat, The Purple Pig, M Burger
Winner: Girl & The Goat

So Hot Right Now, Chicago
Nominees: Chizakaya, Davanti Enoteca, Girl & The Goat, Henri, Lillie's Q, Ruxbin
Finalists: Chizakaya, Girl & The Goat, Lillie's Q
Winner: Girl & The Goat

Chef of the Year, Chicago
Nominees: Grant Achatz (Alinea), Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig), David Carrier (Kith & Kin), Graham Elliot (Graham Elliot), Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Justin Large (Big Star), Jared Wentworth (Longman & Eagle)
Finalists: Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Grant Achatz (Alinea), Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig)
Winner: Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat)

Shaker of the Year, Chicago
Nominees: Lynn House (Blackbird), Charles Joly (Drawing Room), Joshua Pearson (Sepia), Debbi Peek (The Bristol), Mike Ryan (Sable), Benjamin Schiller (Boka Group), Adam Seger (hum/Nacional 27)
Finalists: Benjamin Schiller (Boka Restaurant Group); Debbi Peek (The Bristol); Joshua Pearson (Sepia)
Winner: Benjamin Schiller (Boka Restaurant Group)

Check out all of the winners from around the country, including a huge list of National winners and winners from each Eater city, head over to Eater National. Then go nuts on the comment boards.

The Eater Awards 2010 would not be possible not only without presenting sponsor GREY GOOSE Vodka but also the event's product sponsors—Starbucks Flavored VIA, Whole Foods Market, USA Pears, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Astor Wines & Spirits, and Forever Cheese—and participating restaurants—Momofuku Milk Bar, The John Dory, Convivio, Pok Pok, Public, and Prime Meats. We salute them all.