Second-Annual Charlie Awards for Food & Drink

Last night, the Twin Cities food community gathered for the second-annual Charlie Awards, a local award event recognizing exceptional food and drink in the Twin Cities. Named after downtown restaurant Charlies Café Exceptionale, which closed in the mid-1980s, the Charlie Awards recognize everything from outstanding chef to outstanding cup of coffee.

Here are a few highlights:
· Outstanding Chef: Doug Flicker, Piccolo
· Outstanding Restaurant: Tilia
· Emerging Food Professionals: Birk Grudem and Christina Nguyen, Hola Arepa
· Outstanding Pastry Chef: Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart

· Lifetime Achievement Award: Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant and Farm Direct Market
· Community Hero Award: Brenda Langton, Mill City Farmer's Market and Spoonriver Restaurant
· Outstanding Restaurant Service: Meritage
· Outstanding Restaurant Design: Bachelor Farmer
· Outstanding Bartender: Johnny Michaels
· Outstanding Neighbor: Randy Stanley, Parasole and Uptown Restaurant Taskforce
· Outstanding Cup of Coffee: Moroccan Mocha from Cahoots Coffee Bar
· Outstanding Local Craft Brew: Summit Saga IPA from Summit Brewing Company
· Outstanding Food Truck Item: Hola Arepa's Slow Roasted Pork Arepa
· Outstanding Restaurant Food Item: Masu Robata's Masu Roll

· Charlie Awards website