November 20, 2023

2023 UPPY Awards in Pictures

A look back of this year’s celebration at Middle C Jazz Club

Celebrating the talented people who make Charlotte’s food and beverage scene so special is an honor. Thank you to everyone who came out to the UPPY Awards. The support within this city’s hospitality industry is unmatched and it was inspiring to be there with you.

Thanks to Middle C Jazz and Rare Roots Hospitality for being our hosts — as well as our event sponsors Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Vulcan Equipment, and Toast; category sponsors OpenTable, 86 Search, and Motown Spice; and our liquor sponsors Fords Gin, Tequila Herradura, and Woodford Reserve.

Photos by Ryan Allen and TM Petaccia

Check in at Middle C
Gathering at the bar.
Cocktails coming up.
Cocktails are served.
Cheers with 2023 Pastry Chef of the Year Faith Morley, Counter-
Troy Conn Trio
Food provided by Dressler’s Improv Kitchen
Food Advocate of the Year Finalist Kris Reid, Piedmont Culinary Guild; Pastry Chef of the Year Finalist Lex Druhan, 300 East; and 300 East chef/owner Ashley Boyd
UP writer Ebony Morman with Food Artisan of the Year Finalist Cristina Rojas Agurcia, The Batch House; and friend
Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails lead mixologist Amanda Britton with husband and Mixologist of the Year Finalist Larry Suggs, Humbug
Rare Roots CEO Jon Dressler (center) with GM of the Year Finalist Phi Hoang, Puerta
Presentation to 2023 Farmers of the Year Wisdom & Cherie Jzar, Deep Roots CPS Farm
Presentation to 2023 Raffaele Patrizi, Mano Bella Artisan Foods
Chef Lavonna Johnson Quick accepts her 2023 UPPY for Food Truck of the Year Boujee Soul Food Truck
Presentation to 2023 Chef of the Year (non-traditional) Awo Amenumey, Eh’vivi
Presentation to 2023 Local Food Advocate of the Year Kenya Joseph, Charlotte Food Policy Council
Greg Zanitsch, The Fig Tree accepts his 2023 UPPY as Sommelier/Wine Professional of the Year
Stefan Huebner, Dot Dot Dot accepts his 2023 UPPY for Mixologist of the Year
Presentation to 2023 Pastry Chef of the Year: Faith Morley, Counter-
Tracy Webb, McNinch House accepts her 2023 UPPY as General Manager of the Year — presented by OpenTable
Courtney Evans, Leah & Louise accepts her 2023 UPPY as Chef to Watch — presented by 86 Search
2023 Most Impactful Industry Members Jamie Brown & Jeff Tonidandel, Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group
Troy Gagliardo, Motown Spice presents the 2023 Chef of the Year award to Sam Hart, Counter-
2023 Chef of the Year Sam Hart, Counter- acceptance speech
2023 Chef of the Year (non-traditional) Awo Amenumey, Eh’vivi
Unpretentious Palate's Jon Wile with Michael Bowling, Carolina Farm Trust Distribution Center
Chef to Watch Finalist Brandon Staton, Uptown Yolk with 2023 Food Artisan of the Year winner Raffaele Patrizi, Mano Bella Artisan Foods and Chef to Watch winner Courtney Evans, Leah & Louise
Chef of the Year Finalist Sam Diminich, Restaurant Constance
Capturing the moment
2023 Farmer of the Year winner Cherie Jzar, Deep Roots CPS Farm with 2023 Local Food Advocate of the Year winner Kenya Joseph, Charlotte Food Policy Council
Past and current Local Food Advocates of the Year Samantha DeRosa, Farmers Market Management Services (2022), Kenya Joseph, Charlotte Food Policy Council (2023), and Jesse Leadbetter, Freshlist (2021)
The crew from Counter- including Sommelier/Wine Professional of the Year Finalist Michael Myers (far left), Pastry Chef of the Year winner Faith Morley (center, red dress), and Chef to Watch Finalist Kenny Do (far right)
Chef of the Year Sam Hart, Counter- (far right) with family and staff
2023 Most Impactful Industry Member Finalist Salem Suber (far left)
An embrace from Freshlist's Jesse Leadbetter
UPPY Winners — Class of 2023
That's a wrap with Rare Roots Hospitality Chef Rob Clement, UP photographer Ryan Allen, and UP editor Kristen Wile