John’s Food and Wine was named 2026 Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine. This honor recognizes co-chefs/partners Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers’ efforts for building one of the country’s most distinctive restaurants through exceptional cooking and a groundbreaking approach to building a sustainable restaurant business. The Restaurant of the Year honors one standout restaurant shaping the future of American dining through outstanding food, hospitality, and impact, and John’s Food & Wine and Chicago are now proudly home to this distinct accolade.

Adam McFarland‘s hospitality journey began with his graduation from San Francisco’s Culinary Academy in 2006. He worked the line at the popular restaurant Azie in the city’s SoMa neighborhood before securing a highly sought-after position at Gramercy Tavern in New York City, working alongside celebrated chef Michael Anthony and restaurateur Danny Meyer.

In 2012, McFarland moved on to become chef de cuisine at the refined Southern restaurant Maysville, where he joined a team of Gramercy Tavern veterans. Following his time in New York, McFarland transitioned to working as a personal chef in Washington, D.C., where he cooked for notable politicians and diplomats.

In October 2023, McFarland moved to Chicago to join another Gramercy Tavern alum, Tom Rogers, to open their very first restaurant, John’s Food and Wine. Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, John’s Food and Wine offers a seasonal American menu inspired by the collective experiences of its team in some of the U.S.’s finest restaurants.

Thomas Rogers brings a deep understanding of the culinary world and a strong belief in positive leadership to his role as chef/co-owner of John’s Food and Wine.

Rogers’ career began in 2008 after graduating from Chicago’s Kendall College. He started at the renowned Gramercy Tavern in New York City, where he was drawn to the restaurant’s culture and unwavering dedication to quality. After working his way through the venerable Union Square Hospitality Group kitchen for more than two years, Rogers moved to San Francisco in 2012 to work at Quince, a Michelin Three Star restaurant run by chef/owner Michael Tusk.

Rogers eventually returned to his native Chicago and joined the opening team at Swift & Sons, a steakhouse by the BOKA Restaurant Group. In October 2023, Rogers partnered with Adam McFarland, his longtime friend and fellow Gramercy Tavern veteran, to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning his own independent restaurant. Together, they opened John’s Food and Wine, an elevated restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, serving refined American dishes with a focus on seasonal vegetables, handmade pastas and seafood.