Following the trend of quirky lookalike contests honoring stars like Timothee Chalamet and Paul Mescal, Chicago got in on the action this weekend with its own Jeremy Allen White Lookalike Contest. Held on Saturday, November 16 in Humboldt Park, the event celebrated the actor best known for playing the intense executive chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in The Bear and the clever, street-smart Lip Gallagher in Shameless.
Although White — who has spent time in Chicago filming both shows — did not make a surprise appearance, a slow news weekend ensured that local media captured every moment. While The Bear does not feature any restaurants from the Humboldt Park area, the event was held outdoors in the iconic neighborhood, drawing a crowd of bundled-up Chicagoans in fall coats. Some attendees held handmade signs with phrases from the show like “Yes, chef” or jokes such as “Winner goes home with me,” while a toddler dressed as Carmy stole the crowd’s hearts.
The Jeremy Allen White Lookalike Showdown
Approximately 50 contestants donned Carmy-inspired looks, competing for a grand prize of $50, a pack of Marlboros, and a coveted trophy. Many participants replicated Carmy’s signature white T-shirt and navy apron ensemble, with others adding details like flour-dusted arms and tousled hair to emulate the gritty charm of the television character.
The winner, Ben Shabad, took the crown thanks to a combination of charisma and an authentic touch. The Chicago-born-and-bred mental health therapist accessorized with an apron from Honey Butter Fried Chicken, a popular Chicago restaurant that’s co-owned by his stepbrother, Josh Kulp. A prominent figure in Chicago’s food scene, Kulp encouraged Shabad to compete, rallying friends and family to support him.
After his victory, Shabad was hoisted onto the crowd’s shoulders as they cheered him on. However, the winner skipped out on a Chicago classic, an Italian beef sandwich, and instead opted for a celebratory dinner at Lefty’s Pizza Kitchen in Wilmette, a suburban favorite.
JAW Lookalike Contestants Reflect on a Bear-y Unusual Victory
Following the competition, the top three contestants shared their thoughts in a series of interviews with TikTok user @ryanleshock.
Following his win, Shabad admitted to Leshock he had long been told about his resemblance to White but hadn’t initially planned to capitalize on it.
“People have been telling me I look like him for a while,” Shabad said while reflecting on the experience. When he learned about the competition from family and friends, “I just decided, why not, you know?”
What surprised him the most, however, was the sheer number of contestants and attendees. “I thought there was gonna be maybe, like, 30 people, so I was very surprised to see how many people ended up showing up,” Shabad said. “Also, how many other people look like Jeremy Allen White, right?”
The unexpected turnout and the camaraderie among fans made the event even more memorable for Shabad and the runners-up.
“People told me I looked like Jeremy. So I was like, oh, maybe I should try,” said the third place winner, whose name was not revealed to the press. “ And also I was a bit drunk yesterday,” he admitted.
“There were lots of cameras on you, lots of pictures. I think I’ve never been as popular as today,” said the second runner-up, who isn’t a Chicago native but a visitor from France. “It was a lot of pressure.”
For the contestants and attendees, the competition wasn’t just about winning; it was about coming together in a place where the love for great food and the city’s close-knit vibe could be celebrated chef-style.
The runner-up, who was also unnamed to the press, conveyed the overall message that this wasn’t just a lookalike contest but a celebration of the people and places that make Chicago feel like home.
“This is about community. The fact that somebody can say the big hill in Humboldt Park, and we know where to go. Like, we don’t need instructions for that.”
As silly as a lookalike contest may seem, it reminds television fans, Chicago natives, and celebrity doppelgangers that food isn’t just about what’s on the plate but the connections it creates, both in the kitchen and beyond.