Food 411: This week’s food events

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:02AM

Grand night

Hats off to two of our local good guys!

On Friday, restaurateurs Jimmy Bannos and Scott Harris will be given the Founders’ Award at the 15th annual Grand Chefs Gala.

The award is given to those who are role models in the local culinary world and have done much for charitable and humanitarian causes. Bannos and Harris are partners, along with chef Tony Mantuano and Jimmy Bannos Jr., in the popular Purple Pig.

Bannos’ Heaven on Seven restaurants has been treating customers to New Orleans-style cuisine for 27 years. Chef/owner Harris has opened 22-plus Francesca restaurants in Chicago and across the country, among others.

The Grand Chefs Gala — whose theme is Viva La Revolucion — kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus. The evening is an eater’s delight; a team of the city’s prominent chefs and mixologists will be on hand providing hors d’oeuvres, drinks and pastries in addition to the sitdown dinner. The evening’s festivities will include the announcement of the Jean Banchet Awards, which are given to local food stars.

Up for the chef of the year award are Ryan LaRoche, NoMi; Dan Pancake, Autre Monde; Giuseppe Trentori, GT Fish & Oyster, and Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia. There are awards in 11 categories, including two new ones, Best New Restaurant and Best Mixologist.

Proceeds from the gala benefit the Illinois Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. There are a range of ticket prices. For more information, call (312) 236-4491 or visit www.grandchefsgala.com.

Dough days

Now We’re Cookin’ will have an intensive two-day bread baking workshop from 1 until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The workshop will cover everything from quick breads to dough starters. It’s $150. To register, call (847) 570-4140 or visit www.nwcookin.com.