by TM Petaccia

For the fifth time, eight area chefs will face off in a contest to determine which neighborhood cuisine reigns supreme. As in the past four editions of the Charlotte StrEATs Festival, the 2026 Neighborhood Cook-Off will be a focal point of the Charlotte StrEATs Festival, part of the annual Charlotte SHOUT! series of celebrations.

Each chef is tasked to create a dish that captures the flavor and spirit of their neighborhood. Over the next four weeks, four online voting sessions open to the public will determine the four semifinalists who will compete head-to-head at First Ward Park on festival day, Sunday, April 12.

“Every year Charlotte’s culinary talent levels up and we’re excited to show off this incredibly diverse representation of Charlotte’s neighborhoods, cuisines, and chefs,” says Casey Wilson of Carben Events + Marketing, who along with Unpretentious Palate host the two-day tasting tour and festival. “The competition is going to be fierce.”

Round 1 voting begins today and will run through Thursday, February 19 with Ammalu Saleh of Serengeti Kitchen, representing Uptown, going against Kimmy Bazan of El Veneno, representing East Charlotte. Use this link to cast your vote.

Round 2 will run February 23-26 and will feature Mike Long of Rosemont (Elizabeth) going against James Brokaw of The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (LoSo). Round 3 runs March 2-5 with Oscar Johnson of Jimmy Pearls (West Charlotte) versus Juan Romero of Catalú (South End). Round 4 will conclude the online voting with Michael Le of Hello Uncle (Plaza Midwood) squaring off against Maria Gonzalez of Mizu (SouthPark).

Results will be announced on the Charlotte StrEATs website as well as the event’s social media channels. The winner will receive $1,000 and the 2026 Neighborhood Cook-Off trophy.

The Charlotte StrEATs Neighborhood Cook-Off began in 2022 with Corey Jones of Mad Dash (West Charlotte) winning the inaugural honors. Clayton Sanders of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen (LoSo) won in 2023 with Awo Amenumey of Eh’vivi (Concord) winning in 2024 and Garcia Brown of Southbound (South End) winning last year.

The Sunday, April 12 Charlotte StrEATs Festival is a free-to-attend event and will include a number of local area food artisans and food trucks as well as featured cooking and mixology demonstrations in addition to the Neighborhood Cook-Off. Although free, registration is requested. It will be preceded by Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour, Saturday, April 11, where attendees can sample signature dishes from twenty of Charlotte’s top locally-owned restaurants and sip on craft cocktails created by Charlotte’s leading mixologists. The day also includes food and cocktail demonstrations. This is a 21+ event with tickets starting at just under $90.