Chicago is a city known for its world-class food scene. From Michelin-starred restaurants to casual dining spots, there's something for everyone in the Windy City. And behind every great restaurant is a team of talented people who work tirelessly to create an unforgettable dining experience.

The Faces of Chicago Hospitality Awards is an annual event that honors the leaders of Chicago's hospitality industry. The awards are presented by the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Chicago Tourism Alliance. The winners are selected by a panel of industry experts and are recognized for their contributions to the city's dining and tourism industries.

The awards are divided into six categories:

• Icon Award: This award is given to an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on Chicago's hospitality industry.
• Legend Award: This award is given to an individual who has achieved a high level of success in the hospitality industry and has served as a mentor to others.
• Emerging Leader Award: This award is given to an individual who is making a significant impact on Chicago's hospitality industry and has the potential to become a future leader.
• Hospitality Innovator Award: This award is given to an individual who has developed a new or innovative concept in the hospitality industry.
• Hospitality Champion Award: This award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to Chicago's hospitality industry through their volunteerism or advocacy work.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is given to an individual who has had a long and distinguished career in the hospitality industry.

The Faces of Chicago Hospitality Awards is an important event that recognizes the hard work and dedication of the people who make Chicago's hospitality industry so vibrant. The winners of the awards are an inspiration to others and serve as a reminder of the importance of the hospitality industry to the city's economy and culture.

Here are some of the past winners of the Faces of Chicago Hospitality Awards:

• 2023
  • Icon Award: Charlie Trotter
  • Legend Award: Arnie Morton
  • Emerging Leader Award: Stephanie Izard
  • Hospitality Innovator Award: Michael Kornick
  • Hospitality Champion Award: Cindy Pritzker
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerry Klein
• 2022
  • Icon Award: Rick Bayless
  • Legend Award: Richard Melman
  • Emerging Leader Award: Sarah Grueneberg
  • Hospitality Innovator Award: Stephanie Miller
  • Hospitality Champion Award: Liz Gorman
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Portillo
• 2021
  • Icon Award: Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
  • Legend Award: Grant Achatz
  • Emerging Leader Award: Sarah Welch
  • Hospitality Innovator Award: Michael Muser
  • Hospitality Champion Award: Joe Mansueto
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Charlie Gitto

Charlie Trotter

Charlie Trotter was a world-renowned chef who opened his eponymous restaurant in Chicago in 1987. Trotter was known for his innovative cuisine and his exacting standards. He was also a mentor to many young chefs, and he helped to put Chicago on the map as a culinary destination. Trotter closed his restaurant in 2013, but his legacy continues to inspire chefs and diners alike.

Arnie Morton

Arnie Morton was a legendary restaurateur who opened his first restaurant, Morton's Steakhouse, in Chicago in 1968. Morton was known for his warm hospitality and his commitment to quality. He opened several more restaurants in Chicago and around the country, and he helped to popularize the steakhouse concept. Morton died in 1993, but his restaurants continue to thrive.

Stephanie Izard

Stephanie Izard is a James Beard Award-winning chef who owns several restaurants in Chicago, including Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner, and Duck Duck Goat. Izard is known for her creative and playful cuisine, which often features Asian influences. She is also a champion of female chefs, and she has spoken out about the challenges that women face in the culinary industry.

Michael Kornick

Michael Kornick is a chef and restaurateur who owns several restaurants in Chicago, including MK, Balestra, and RPM Steak. Kornick is known for his elegant and sophisticated cuisine, which often features seasonal ingredients. He is also a successful businessman, and he has been named one of Chicago's most influential people by Crain's Chicago Business.

Cindy Pritzker

Cindy Pritzker is a philanthropist and businesswoman who has been a major supporter of Chicago's hospitality industry. She is the founder of the Pritzker Family Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to organizations that promote culinary education and workforce development. She is also the owner of several restaurants in Chicago, including The Modern Wing and The Berghoff.

Jerry Klein

Jerry Klein is a restauranteur who has owned and operated several successful restaurants in Chicago over the past 50 years. He is known for his commitment to quality and his willingness to take risks. He is also a mentor to many young chefs, and he has helped to shape the culinary landscape of Chicago.

Rick Bayless

Rick Bayless is a James Beard Award-winning chef who is known for his Mexican cuisine. He opened his first restaurant, Frontera Grill, in Chicago in 1987. Bayless has since opened several more restaurants in Chicago and around the country, and he has written several cookbooks on Mexican cuisine. He is also a popular television personality, and he has hosted several cooking shows on PBS.

Richard Melman

Richard Melman is a restauranteur who owns several successful restaurants in Chicago, including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. Melman is known for his innovative and creative concepts. He has opened restaurants in a variety of different cuisines, and he has been a major force in the development of Chicago's dining scene.

Sarah Grueneberg

Sarah Grueneberg is a James Beard Award-winning chef who owns several restaurants in Chicago, including Monteverde, Sepia, and Smyth. Grueneberg is known for her seasonal and ingredient-driven cuisine. She is also a champion of sustainable and ethical practices in the food industry.

Stephanie Miller

Stephanie Miller is a hospitality entrepreneur who owns several successful restaurants in Chicago, including Beatrix, The Loyalist, and The Publican. Miller is known for her commitment to quality and her willingness to support local businesses. She is also a mentor to young chefs, and she has helped to shape the culinary landscape of Chicago.

Liz Gorman

Liz Gorman is a restauranteur who owns several successful restaurants in Chicago, including The Purple Pig, The Publican Family of Restaurants, and The Loyalist. Gorman is known for her commitment to quality and her willingness to support local businesses. She is also a mentor to young chefs, and she has helped to shape the culinary landscape of Chicago.

Richard Portillo

Richard Portillo is a restauranteur who owns several successful restaurants in Chicago, including Portillo's Hot Dogs. Portillo's is a Chicago institution that has been serving up hot dogs and other classic Chicago fare since 1963. Portillo is known for his commitment to quality and his willingness to stay true to his roots. He is also a philanthropist, and he has donated millions of dollars to organizations that support education and youth development.

These are just a few of the many talented people who have been honored with the Faces of Chicago Hospitality Awards. The awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the people who make Chicago's hospitality industry so vibrant. They are also a reminder of the importance of the hospitality industry to the city's economy and culture.