George Trois Becomes 1st Suburban Winner Of Top Restaurant Award

CHICAGO — George Trois, the 20-seat restaurant inside Restaurant Michael in Winnetka, took away the top prize last week in the 2019 Jean Banchet Awards, beating out a trio of West Loop restaurants to become first suburban winner of prestigious local food awards.

Now in its 17th year, the prestigious local award ceremony is named in honor of the the late Jean Banchet, who started Le Francias in Wheeling in 1973 and helped make the Chicago suburbs a dining destination.

George Trois Chef Michael Lachowicz, who studied under Banchet and eventually took over the kitchen at Le Francias, was selected by an anonymous panel of local judges and given the award at a Jan. 13 ceremony at Venue Six10 in downtown Chicago.

"I was so humbled by the Jean Banchet award nomination and to win is absolutely incredible," Lachowicz said. "The most amazing part is to be recognized not only in Chicago, but by the city's culinary community. It speaks volumes to be acknowledged by my peers and is definitely a high point in my 30-year career. I’m beyond thankful for my newly-named partners, Sergio Angel and Miguel Escobar, for the last 20 years and for the exciting changes ahead of us."

Nominees are provided by the public and selected by a panel of food and beverage journalists, photographers and gastronomes unaffiliated with any local restaurants and who meet throughout the year to discuss a variety of establishments and are "required to dine and drink at as many different places as possible throughout the year." Organizers of the ceremony describe it as the only Chicago-based awards recognizing "culinary originality and talent throughout the region." Winners from the previous three years are ineligible for the same award.

George Trois bested other restaurant of the year nominees – Chicago's Acadia, Avec and Oriole – to become the award's first-ever suburban winner. The Chicago Tribune noted last year it was ineligible for a Michelin star, with the guide no longer considering restaurants outside of central Chicago – Uptown to Hyde Park and as far west as Humboldt Park.

The event included a tribute to those the industry lost in the past year, including Italian Village chief Frank Capitanini, Cherry Circle Room Sommelier Andrew Algren, head chef of Taste 222 and former “Food Network Star” contestant Judson Allen, One Off Hospitality Co-Founder Rick Diarmit, restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and Izola’s owner Izola White, the Tribune reported. There was also a moment of silence for the Wrigleyville Taco Bell.

Full list of 2019 Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence winners:

Restaurant of the Year: George Trois
Chef of the Year: Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe, Marisol)
Rising Chef of the Year: Alisha Elenz (mfk. restaurant)
Best Chef-de-Cuisine: Ryan Pfeiffer (Blackbird)
Pastry Chef of the Year: Nicole Guini (Blackbird, avec)
Rising Pastry Chef of the Year: Elaine Townsend (Fat Rice)
Best Neighborhood Restaurant: Pizzeria Bebu
Best Heritage Restaurant: A Place BY DAMAO
Best New Restaurant: S.K.Y.
Best Sommelier: Jill Gubesch (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Leña Brava)
Best Mixologist: Stephanie Andrews (Billy Sunday)
Best Restaurant Design: Pacific Standard Time
Best Service: Temporis
Best Bar: Moody Tongue
Best Counter Service: Calumet Fisheries (inaugural winner)
Banchet Culinary Achievement Award: Michael Foley (Printer's Row)