Contact:

Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger

952-278-3142 or 612-309-1677

THE CHARLIE AWARDS

A Celebration of the Twin Cities Restaurant Food and Beverage Industry

Sunday, Nov. 17

Minneapolis (September 9, 2013) --- The third annual CHARLIE AWARDS, a celebration of the Twin Cities metro area restaurant, food, and beverage industry, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis (710 Hennepin Avenue) beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Included with each show ticket is admission to an after-party sponsored by Minnesota Monthly from 5 6:30 p.m. at the IDS Center Crystal Court (80 S. 8^th St.). A ticketed four-course dinner will follow at 7 p.m. at The Walker Art Center (1750 Hennepin Ave. So.).

The Charlie Awards were created to recognize the outstanding contributions our metro area food and restaurant industry makes to ensure a diverse, vibrant and creative lifestyle and economy. The event will showcase restaurants, corporations and businesses, institutions, beverage manufacturers, suppliers, culinary schools, chefs, and restaurant staff.

The awards show will be 90 minutes of live entertainment that will highlight some of the best and brightest in the business. The show will have two components individuals and businesses honored by their peers and outstanding food and beverage items recognized by the public and confirmed by industry leaders.

Awards for individuals and businesses are determined by a vote of all participating restaurants in the seven-county Minneapolis / St. Paul area. Each restaurant participating has one vote in each category, and the organizations and individuals that receive the most votes will receive a Charlie Award in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement; Community Hero, Outstanding Neighbor; Outstanding Chef; Emerging Food Professional; Outstanding Pastry Chef; Outstanding Restaurant Service; Outstanding Bartender; Outstanding Restaurant; and Outstanding Restaurant Design.

For best restaurant food item, each participating restaurant chooses an item that most represents its menu. That item is then posted on the Charlies website at charliesexceptionale.com. Any member of the general public can vote for their favorite food item. The top two vote-getters in each of six Twin Cities neighborhoods will be chosen as finalists. A panel of experts will taste test each of the finalist selections to decide on one winning food item.

Awards for Outstanding Cup of Coffee, Outstanding Local Craft Brew and Outstanding Food Truck Item are also determined by the general public and a panel of experts.

The award for Outstanding Beverage Program is determined by a panel of experts.

For information on how to enter your establishment, visit charliesexceptionale.com and click on application by no later than Monday, Sept. 23.

The awards are named after the legendary restaurant, Charlies Café Exceptionale, which was a mainstay in downtown Minneapolis until the 1980s. The Charlies were the brain child of Minnesotas own culinary expert and James Beard award-winning food journalist, Sue Zelickson.

Tickets for the CHARLIE AWARDS will go on sale beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1 and will be available online at charliesexceptionale.com; at the box offices of the State, Orpheum and Pantages theatres; or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets for the main show and after-party are $35 ($25 for members of the food community). Tickets for all three events (main show, after-party and VIP dinner) are $125 each; with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Open Arms of Minnesota. Open Arms is the only nonprofit organization in Minnesota that cooks and delivers free meals specifically tailored to meet the nutritional needs of individuals living with life-threatening illnesses.

Sponsors are General Mills, U.S. Foods, Mingle, Open Table, Bellisio Foods, Intermix Beverage Co., Palm Trading Company, Kohler Signature Store, Colle+McVoy, Minnesota Business, Tiger Oak community publications, Minnesota Monthly, Minnesota Public Radio, Open Arms, and the Minnesota Restaurant Association.

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Contact:

Molly Mulvehill Steinke

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Nemer Fieger

952 278 3142 direct

612 309 1677 mobile

@MMSPR Twitter