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These Chicago chefs and restaurants are finalists for the Banchet Awards, the top local food honor

suntimes.com · 3h · first reportShare

Finalists for Chicago’s top local food honor, the Banchet Awards , were announced Wednesday morning. This year’s nominees range from casual spots like the Mayfair taco trailer No Pasa Nada and Albany Park’s Noodles Party to fine dining destinations like Avec. Throughout the day Tuesday, the Banchet Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Muser visited several of the restaurants on the list to deliver the news in person, including Asador Bastian, the River North steakhouse, which is up for Restaurant of the Year. “I know we're amongst great company,” said chef-owner Doug Psaltis. “Being included in the best restaurants in Chicago is being included in the best restaurants in the country.” The Banchets recognize excellence across categories, including Best Heritage Restaurant, Best Counter Service and Rising Chef of the Year. Muser said the goal is to celebrate the breadth of the local food scene, including places sometimes overlooked by the national food awards. “These are not restaurant