Contact:
Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger, 952-278-3142 or 612-309-1677
THE CHARLIE AWARDS
Join Us For The Fifth Annual Celebration of the
Twin Cities Food & Beverage Community
November 15, 2015
Minneapolis (August 25, 2015) --- The fifth annual Charlie Awards, a showcase for our local independent food
and beverage community, will be held Sunday, November 15 at the Pantages Theater (710 Hennepin Ave.,
Minneapolis). The Charlie Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of the Twin Cities metro area
restaurant, food and beverage industry, including: restaurants, beverage manufacturers, suppliers, culinary
schools, chefs, staff and service, craft brewers, and food trucks.
This year’s Charlie Awards will include a trio of tasty events:
 An entertainment-packed main awards show at the Pantages beginning at 3:30 p.m.
 A reception in the IDS Crystal Court, beginning at approximately 5 p.m., will feature live music,
specialty cocktails, and sample-size dishes prepared by students at area culinary schools
 The culmination culinary masterpiece of the day will be the Chefs’ Dinner at Windows on Minnesota
(50th floor of the IDS) beginning at 6:30 p.m.
New this year – the Charlie Awards want to honor those dedicated individuals who make our food and
beverage community so successful. Food and beverage businesses are encourage to nominate someone that
best exemplifies the spirit of their organization – from the chef to the owner, wait person to a kitchen staffer.
The choice will be theirs. Applications can be found on CharliesExceptionale.com. It is free to enter. The
deadline to enter is September 24. One honoree will be randomly selected from entries during the Charlie
Awards ceremony on November 15.
Awards to be announced at The Charlie Awards include: Lifetime Achievement; Community Hero, Outstanding
Chef; Outstanding Emerging Chef (a food professional with five years or less of experience); Outstanding
Service; Outstanding Restaurateur; Outstanding Restaurant; Outstanding Interior Design; Outstanding Pastry
Chef; Outstanding Local Craft Brew, Outstanding Beverage Program, and Outstanding Bartender.
Tickets will be available by Sept. 24 at CharliesExceptionale.com; at the box offices of the State, Orpheum and
Pantages theatres; or at any Ticketmaster outlet. The cost for the main show and after-party at the IDS Crystal
Court is $35 ($25 for members of the food community). The cost for attending all three events (awards show,
after-party and Chefs Dinner) is $150; with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Open Arms of Minnesota.
Open Arms is the only nonprofit organization in the state that cooks and delivers free meals specifically tailored
to meet the nutritional needs of individuals living with life-threatening illnesses.
Sponsors of the Charlie Awards are General Mills, U.S. Foods, Deluxe Corporation, Land O’Lakes, Randy’s
Booth Company, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Monroe, Moxness & Berg, Intermix Beverage Co., Open
Table, Minnesota Restaurant Association, Trinchero Family Estates, Minneapolis St. Paul Chapter National
Association for Catering and Events, Minnesota Monthly, Windows on Minnesota, Marquette Hotel, Colle +
McVoy, Mise en Place consulting, Dynamic Products Midwest, and Open Arms.
For more information on the 2015 Charlie Awards, please visit honorthyfood.com. Find us on Twitter
@CharlieAwards #HonorThyFood or Facebook (CharlieAwards).
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