Kayla Samoy

Kayla Samoy is the editor of the Dining section and works in Arts+Entertainment for the Chicago Tribune. She is a University of Arizona graduate and previously worked for the Associated Press and the Arizona Republic.

Mapped: Winners of the Chicago Tribune Food Awards since 2011

Chicago Tribune Food Awards winners map: All the places we’ve honored since 2011

March 26, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

Here are all of the Chicago Tribune Readers' Choice and Critic's Choice Food Awards winners since 2011.

Co-owner Audrey Borden delivers a coffee flight for customers at Coffee Shop of the Year October Cafe in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Readers’ Choice Food Awards winners: 10 restaurants, bars, bakeries and more that impressed Chicago in 2024

March 5, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

After thousands of votes, here are the 10 winning restaurants, bars and more in the 13th edition of the Tribune Readers' Choice Food Awards.

The 2024 Chicago Tribune Readers' Choice Food Awards. (Aly Morris/Chicago Tribune)

Just a few days remain to vote for your favorite restaurants in the Readers’ Choice Food Awards

February 3, 2025 at 11:58 a.m.

Less than 10 votes separate first and second place in multiple categories, so every single vote counts.

Readers’ Choice Food Awards: It’s time to vote for your favorite Chicagoland restaurants, bars and more

January 24, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

After reviewing hundreds of nominations, the Tribune food team has selected five finalists in each category, but the rest is up to you.

People attend the James Beard Foundation Awards afterparty at Union Station on June 10, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

James Beard Awards 2025: 22 Chicago chefs, restaurants and bars make semifinalist list

January 23, 2025 at 8:39 a.m.

The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced the semifinalists for its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards, and Chicago saw 22 restaurants, chefs and bars make the cut.

Clockwise from top left: quesabirrias, al pastor and steak tacos, birria pizza, birria fries, carne asada nachos and carne asada fries from Tacotlan. (Tacotlan)

6 Chicago Restaurant Week 2025 menus we can’t wait to try

January 22, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.

This year's 17-day event will see more than 470 restaurants from around town participating, from award-winning institutions to newly opened spots to local favorites.

Nominations close soon in our Readers’ Choice Food Awards. Want to compete? Download our media kit.

January 17, 2025 at 4:05 p.m.

Just a few days remain to nominate your favorite restaurants, bars and more in our Readers' Choice Food Awards.

2024 Readers’ Choice Food Awards: It’s time to nominate your favorite food spots from across Chicagoland

January 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Nominations are open for the 2024 Readers' Choice Food awards, where we give you the chance to weigh in on the best food from last year.

Clockwise from top left is the pescado taco at Diego, a veg supreme pizza at Bungalow by Middle Brow, the aguachile at Cariño, the smoked brisket cheeseburger at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and specialty mangos from MangoZZ in Romeoville. (Terrence Antonio James and Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Favorite foods from 2024: The most memorable dishes and drinks we enjoyed across Chicago

January 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

As we ring in 2025, the writers and editors of the Tribune food section have looked back at all the delicious dishes and drinks we had in 2024.

Rachel Skarsten plays Whitney, a librarian caught up in "The Christmas Charade." (Hallmark Media)

New holiday rom-coms are here! 5 to watch this season

December 16, 2024 at 11:19 a.m.

From Netflix to Hallmark, this season is full of new romantic comedies to get you in the holiday spirit.

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