Q:  How do you select candidates for the UPPY Awards?

Tom: Wow! You must be psychic! The direct answer to your question is we don’t. You do. The call for UPPY nominations will go out to all paid UP members next week. Based on your responses, we list the three finalists in each category. The winner is selected by a consensus of the Unpretentious Palate editorial board and staff. You can set the date now, our 2025 UPPY dinners and awards ceremony will be announced Monday, November 10, at the historic Visualite Theatre in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood.

Q: Where is the best apple dessert?

Tom: It’s too early to say. North Carolina apple season is just beginning. But I’m sure the city’s pastry chefs will have us clamoring for their fall offerings pretty darn soon. I would suggest especially keeping an eye on the social media feeds of Alexa Druhan / 300 East, Ann Marie Stefaney / Restaurant Constance, Samantha Ward / L’Ostrica, Savannah Foltz / Supperland, and Faith Morley / Counter- to see what they will literally be bringing to the table. If you are up for a bakery or pâtisserie run, keep an eye on the cases at Renaissance Pâtisserie in SouthPark, Coquette in Uptown, The Everyday Market in LoSo (and Belmont), Chocolatier Barrucand in Concord, and Cocotte in Cornelius.

Followup to a previous week’s question

Q: Do you know how to get plugged into Top Chef events while they’re filming in Charlotte?

Tom: The call went out this morning! Magical Elves, the production company behind Top Chef and other unscripted series, is now accepting requests to attend select Top Chef dinners in Charlotte and Greenville. Click here to apply.

Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!