September 10, 2026
Who da best?
2026 UPPY nominations are now open!
by TM Petaccia, Contributing Editor
There are many benefits of being an Unpretentious Palate paid subscriber: getting discounts and first access to our dining and special events, non-compensated and therefore unbiased restaurant reviews, exclusive "behind the press release" food journalism, detailed industry profiles, and the scoop on what's new, what's closed, and what's cherished in the Charlotte food scene.
And there's one more.
Unpretentious Palate members, and only Unpretentious Palate members, have a direct say in deciding which Charlotte-area farms, restaurants, bars, food trucks, artisanal food/wine shops, and the people behind them deserve special recognition at our annual UPPY Awards.
Nominations are now open for this year's Unpretentious Palate People of the Year. You help us decide the best of the best in Charlotte over the past year. Only you.
Unlike many of these award events, we do not solicit wide-spread internet nominations and voting. Honestly, if anything, those often show who may have the best social media following but not necessarily who provides the best food and service.
But you know. As an Unpretentious Palate subscriber, you are an integral part of the city's culinary terrain. You know the local landscape. You are actively dining out, enjoying the cocktails, buying the baked goods, going to the farmers markets, and have a grasp on everything that's good and noteworthy in our local hospitality community.
So we need your voice.
Nominations will be open through September 30. Finalists will be named shortly thereafter, and we all will find out who will take home the UPPY trophies on Monday, November 9. And yes, Unpretentious Palate members will have advance access to discounted tickets for that too.
Not yet a UP paid subscriber? No worries. You can sign up today, lend your voice, and receive all the other benefits of being a bona fide UPer.
Eat well,
-Tom-
PS: Today is Concierge Thursday! Send us your food and beverage questions before 2 p.m. and we'll have your answers in our weekly column later this afternoon.
Support local food journalism in Charlotte.
UNPRETENTIOUS PALATE is a digital publication covering food and drink in Charlotte. At UP, you’ll find ethical food journalism that isn’t based on free meals. We’ll be your taste testers around the city, letting you know where you can’t miss and where to skip. And we’ll ban any condescending food-writer speak. We’ll tell you the dishes we love, where to go on date night, and the best places for cocktails. You can trust us.
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