The UPPY Awards

The 2026 UPPY Award finalists have been announced! Meet this year’s finalists here.

Save the date for the 2026 UPPY Awards! Unpretentious Palate‘s sixth annual People of the Year Awards, or The UPPYs, will celebrate the best in Charlotte’s restaurant industry, from chefs and bartenders to sommeliers and general managers on Monday, November 9, 2026. Tickets are on sale now!

Guests will enjoy an evening featuring dinner from Chapter 6, specialty cocktails crafted by 2025 UPPY Award winner Rhea Buck, and live music from the Troy Conn Trio, all while celebrating this year’s finalists.

Come hungry. Chapter 6 will be passing skewers, including grilled shrimp, marinated chicken thighs, lamb, and eggplant with lemon relish. There’ll also be a grazing station with prosciutto, marinated olives, and tuna crudo, plus braised lamb with aromatic rice and a shaved steak salad with mint, basil, and harissa. After the awards, stick around for mini carrot cakes, Celeste’s cheesecake, and more.

In September, Unpretentious Palate asked its members to nominate the industry professionals they thought made a difference in Charlotte’s food scene this year. The top three finalists in each category were announced last week and one winner from each of the categories will be announced live at the awards ceremony.

See our recap of the event and meet the 2025 winners here.