Next, Boka, Bristol Win Big at Jean Banchet Awards

The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence took place during the Havana-themed Grand Chefs Gala Friday night at the Fairmont Chicago. Restaurants, chefs and mixologists were awarded in 12 categories by emcees Steve Dolinsky and Alpana Singh and a few winners stood out among the crowd.

Next took home the most with three awards, including one for chef Dave Beran in the chef de cuisine category. The Bristol and Boka Restaurant Group were next with two awards each, including the chef of the year award for Giuseppe Tentori. And for the first time, a people's choice award was given out and the Purple Pig snatched that up. Restaurateurs Scott Harris and Jimmy Bannos, Sr., were presented with the Founders Award, which recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted lives in a charitable or humanitarian way. See the full list of winners after the jump.

List of nominees and winners at the 2012 Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence: (winner in bold)

Chef of the Year
Ryan LaRoche, NoMI
Dan Pancake, Autre Monde
Giuseppe Tentori, GT Fish & Oyster
Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia

Pastry Chef of the Year
Bryce Caron, Blackbird
Meg Galus, NoMI
Amanda Rockman, The Bristol
Cindy Schuman, Sepia

Chef de Cuisine
Dave Beran, Next
Sean Pharr, NoMI
David Posey, Blackbird
Brian Runge, Graham Elliot

Rising Chef
Chris Curren, Blue 13
Danny Grant, RIA
Chris Macchia, Coco Pazzo
Paul Dobroski, NoMI

Rising Pastry Chef
Aya Fukai, RIA
Sarah Jordan, BOKA
Stephanie Mazzone, Coco Pazzo
Kady Yon, Pump Room at Public Chicago

Best Fine Dining
Blue 13
Coco Pazzo
Next
Sepia

Best New Restaurant
Autre Monde
GT Fish & Oyster
Next
Vera

Best Neighborhood Restaurant
Autre Monde
The Bristol
Maude's Liqour Bar
Vera

Best Sommelier
Scott Harney, Eno at the Intercontinental
Michael Muser, The Peninsula Chicago
Dan Pilkey, RIA
Aaron Sherman, NoMI

Best Mixologist
Stephen Cole, Barrelhouse Flat
Lynn House, Blackbird
Debbi Peek, The Bristol
Joshua Pearson, Sepia

Best Catering Company
BOKA Catering
Catering by Michaels
Entertaining Company
Limelight

People's Choice Award
The Purple Pig

[Photo: Dave Beran with his awards]