CS released their Restaurant Issue today, naming Blackbird's Mike Sheerin Chef of the Year. This is a second nod to Sheerin this year, who recently won Food & Wine's Best New Chefs, so we're not surprised to hear that after four years he's looking to branch out on his own, telling CS, "I've been working on my own concept for a little while, very refined food in a very casual atmosphere. [...] I'm thinking within a year, maybe two at the most."
Moto's Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche won runner-up for Chef of the Year, Ria snagged Best New Restaurant, and NoMI's Ryan LaRoche picked up Best New Chef. The issue also includes bits on premier restaurants (The Bristol, Epic), rising chefs under 30 (Josh Linton from Aja, Aaron Deal from pre-Custom House layoff), an interview with Wolfgang Punk (who is rarely, if ever, actually in Chicago), and the usual spread of socialites doing bougie things. [CS]