Help us recognize the best in Charlotte

This year, we’re kicking off an annual celebration of the best in Charlotte’s restaurant industry, from chefs and bartenders to sommeliers and general managers. Unlike many of the “best” lists around town, however, our research won’t be perusing Yelp and Instagram.

Instead, we’re leaning on some of the city’s most food-educated and seasoned diners: UP members. Through the end of September, we’re asking subscribers to vote on the best in the industry. The list seeks your input on restaurant professionals, food trucks, ghost kitchens, and more.

Each UP member gets one vote per category, and the submission is behind our paywall to ensure only subscribers are able to vote. This prevents restaurants from being named winners solely based on the quality of their PR team, social media following, or newsletter subscriber numbers. It also leans on the wide breadth of knowledge our readers have of the restaurant scene in Charlotte.

In late September, the UP editorial team will look at the top names in each category and name a winner in each. Our inaugural winners will be announced in October, with hopes for an event in November, Covid-willing. Expect the event to look different, too — the winning chefs will be celebrating, not cooking.

You MUST use the e-mail associated with your subscription for your vote to count.

Nominations are now closed. Stay tuned for an announcement on the finalists!