16th Annual Jean Banchet Award Nominees Announced

The nominees for the Jean Banchet awards were announced this weekend after taking into consideration the public opinion a few weeks ago. Winners will be announced at the Grand Chef's Gala, which raises money for Cystic Fibrosis, on February 8 at the Fairmont Hotel.

There are a few changes to the categories this year. The best fine dining and best neighborhood restaurant categories were combined into best new restaurant, and best restaurant service was added as a category.

Interesting to see Elizabeth and Acadia nominated for both best new restaurant and best restaurant, as well as Paul McGee nominated for Three Dots and a Dash which isn't open yet.

Want to see who else was nominated? Check out the full list:

Chef of the Year: Ryan McCaskey, Acadia; Matthias Merges, Yusho; Dan Pancake, Autre Monde; Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia

Pastry Chef of the Year: Sarah Jordan, BOKA; Toni Roberts, theWit ; Cindy Schuman, Sepia; Kady Yon, Pump Room

Chef-de-Cuisine:: Richie Farina, Moto; David Posey, Blackbird; Jan Rickerl, Girl & the Goat; Carl Shelton, BOKA

Rising Chef: Chris Nugent, Goosefoot; Iliana Regan, Elizabeth; Phil Rubino, Moderno; Dominic Zumpano, Market House on the Square

Rising Pastry Chef: Claire Crenshaw, Moto; Melissa Humphrey, Pastries Not Potatoes; Leigh Omilinsky, Café des Architectes; Ben Walker, Renaissance Chicago

Best Sommelier: John Aranza, Autre Monde; Kevin Bratt, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab; Scott Harney, Eno; Jason Prah, Acadia

Best Mixologist: Lynn House, Blackbird; Paul McGee, Three Dots and a Dash; Ben Schiller, BOKA; Michael Simon, Carriage House

Best Restaurant: Acadia; Elizabeth; Girl & the Goat; Sepia

Best Restaurant Service Acadia; Alinea; Autre Monde; Next

Best New Restaurant: Acadia; Balena; Elizabeth; Yusho

Best Catering Company: Big Delicious Planet; Blue Plate; BOKA Catering; Calihan