The write stuff: Be sure to read and subscribe to my other Substack—Pop-Eds: My thoughts on pop culture. (Like SAVOR, it’s less than $5/month to access everything.) Columns have discussed cheating, movie sequels, Zohran Mamdani, vampire facials and Chappell Roan, among many other topics. And don’t forget that much more culinary news ia at SAVOR with Andrew.
And now on to culinary items…
—Banchet bounty: The finalists for the Jean Banchet Awards—which honor the best in Chicago’s culinary scene—have been announced, per The Chicago Sun-Times.
The annual awards (named after Banchet, who was inducted into the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame in 2013) recognize excellence across 12 categories, including Restaurant of the Year (with nominees Cellar Door Provisions, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, Indienne and Proxi) and Chef of the Year (Perilla’s Andrew Lim, Proxi’s Jennifer Kim, El Che and Brasero’s John Manion, and Lilac Tiger and The Coach House’s Zubair Mohajir). A few of the other spots and individuals receiving honors include Pastry Chef Justin Lerias, Asador Bastian, Adalina Prime and sommelier Emily Sher.
In addition, Alinea Chef Grant Achatz will receive the Culinary Excellence Award while Gene & Georgetti will receive the inaugural Iconic Restaurant of the Year honor. Tickets to the Jan. 15, 2026, awards ceremony are $255 each; RSVP here.
—Markets closing: As we speed toward the end of October, don’t forget that many of Chicago’s farmers markets are also ending. (Some have already concluded.)
These include markets in Lincoln Square, Streeterville (the one by the MCA), Andersonville, Pullman, Austin, Daley Plaza, the Vegan Farmers Market (at 2054 W. Grand Ave.), Division Street, Garfield Park and the Wednesday slot at Lincoln Park’s Green City Market, among others. The full schedule is here.
—Sudden impact: NBC Chicago reported that the Hyde Park restaurant/performance space The Promontory (at 5311 S. Lake Park Ave W.) will unexpectedly close at the end of the year.
“At the end of this year, we will turn off the lights at The Promontory for the last time,” a social-media post read. Many users expressed disappointment in the closure while others shared memories from the venue.
—New era: On Oct. 14, NACS (the National Association of Convenience Stores) held an exclusive reception at Untitled Supper Club that focused on Pepsi unveiling several products, including Pepsi Prebiotic Cola as well as Lay’s potato chips with no artificial flavors and colors (both of which will hit shelves later this year).
The prebiotic drink represents a significant move for PepsiCo, putting the company into the functional beverage space that’s revamping the industry. Pepsi is also launching a protein-infused Starbucks coffee and other new products such as Dirty Mountain Dew cream soda, new Muscle Milk products and Gatorade with lower sugar.
—Heart and Soul: Soul & Smoke co-founders Chef D’Andre Carter and Heather Bublick announced the launch of the Soul & Smoke Foundation—a non-profit organization focused on food security. To mark the milestone, the restaurant unveiled a new community fridge at the Evanston flagship location.
The new fridge was received courtesy of Boelter, a food-service supply company. The commercial fridge is bigger, holds more food and can withstand Chicagoland’s “character-building” weather conditions year-round. Bublick and Carter have partnered with Chicago Chefs Cook founder Chef Sarah Stegner to engage fellow chefs from across the community in helping to keep the fridge stocked throughout the year. Chefs contributing to the community fridge over the next few months include Stegner, Devon Quinn (eden) and Mary Aregoni (Saigon Sisters), among others.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the community fridge was held with the Evanston Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 17.
—Pie top: Home Run Inn Pizza is celebrating being the founder of National Tavern-Style Pizza Day on Oct. 22.
This year’s National Tavern-Style Pizza Day will feature several deals. On Oct. 22-23 all Home Run Inn Chicagoland restaurants will offer large cheese, sausage and pepperoni pizzas for just $13.99 (regularly priced at $25.75). There’s a limit of three per person for dine-in or takeout. Plus, $3 Old Style Tall Boy cans will be available.
In addition, Home Run will join forces with Old Style Beer to host “Tavern Takeovers” on Oct. 22. Home Run Inn and Old Style will transform select neighborhood taverns—such as Village Tap, Ten Cat Tavern, The Corner Bar and Electric Funeral—into hubs of community, nostalgia and flavor where guests will enjoy complimentary slices of Home Run Inn’s thin-crust tavern-style pizza, Old Style beer and exclusive giveaways.
—Chai way: Mango Pickle has extended its chai pop-up (at Balmoral Avenue and Clark Street, in Andersonville) until Oct. 26. (It’s open 12-5 p.m. daily.)
Items include hot and cold masala chai, cardamom matcha, rose saffron latte, cold-brew coffee and even chai concentrate.
In addition, the restaurant is holding a Diwali social on Oct. 24-25, 6-9 p.m.
Until next time…