Blackbird's Michael Sheerin took home "Rising Chef" honors at the Banchet Awards on Friday. (Photo: Anthony Tahlier)
Friday was a big night for a number of Chicago's top culinary folks as they took home awards at the Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence ceremony during the Cystic Fibrosis' annual Grand Chefs Gala.
The event took place in the Fairmont Hotel's grand ballroom following an amazing cocktail party where more than 30 chefs whipped up signature appetizers for several hundred guests.
Here are the winners, who were selected by all participating and nominated chefs voting by secret ballot:
Best Catering Co: Blue Plate; Best Sommelier: Scott Tyree of Sepia; Rising Chef: Michael Sheerin of Blackbird; Rising Pastry: Stephanie Prida of Blackbird; Best Neighborhood Spot: Piccolo Sogno; Best Fine Dining: Paul Virant of Vie; Celeb Pastry Chef: Cindy Schuman of Sepia; Celeb Chef: Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo/Xoco; People's Choice Award: Curtis Duffy of Avenues.
Congrats to all!