ABOUT
NCRLA’s Chef Showdown is North Carolina’s ultimate statewide culinary and mixology competition, presented by Got To Be NC. This high-stakes event brings together the state’s top chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and distilleries to compete for top honors.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Durham on August 4 to celebrate North Carolina’s incredible culinary and beverage talent! Meet this year’s winners below:
NCRLA Chef Showdown Awards
- NCRLA Mocktail of the Year: Travis James, Julep Contemporary Kitchen (Greenville)
- NCRLA Mixologist of the Year: Sarah McCabe, The Longleaf Hotel (Raleigh) –
- NCRLA Distillery of the Year: Cook’s Mill Whiskey (Raleigh)
- NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year, 1st Runner Up: Pastry Chef Josh Dobson, Peppervine, Charlotte
- NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year: Pastry Chef Luis Rojas, Charlotte Marriott City Center, Charlotte
- NCRLA Chef of the Year, 1st Runner Up: Chef Kevin Stratton, The Depot on First, Knightdale
- NCRLA Chef of the Year: Chef Mauricio Huarcaya, Gustu Peruano, Wilmington
undeniably dairy awards
Presented by The Dairy Alliance
- Undeniably Dairy Awards, Best Savory Dish: Chef Bobby McFarland, Glasshouse Kitchen, Durham
- Undeniably Dairy Award, Best Dessert: Pastry Chef Michael Beers, River Run Country Club, Davidson
- Undeniably Dairy Award, Best Mocktail: Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington
- Undeniably Dairy Award, Best Cocktail: Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington – End of Days Distillery
people’s choice awards
Powered by Sysco
- People’s Choice Award for Best Savory Dish: Chef Mauricio Huarcaya, Gustu Peruano, Wilmington
- People’s Choice Award for Best Mocktail: Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery (Wilmington)
- People’s Choice Award for Best Cocktail: Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery (Wilmington), partnering with End of Days Distillery
- People’s Choice Award for Best Dessert: Pastry Chef Luis Rojas, Charlotte Marriott City Center, Charlotte
MEET THE FINALISTS
MEET THE COMPETITORS
AWARDS + DETAILS
NCRLA is proud to compete at some of North Carolina’s finest community college culinary schools throughout this competition, each one serving to teach and inspire the North Carolina hospitality industry of tomorrow. All preliminary and semifinal rounds are private events open only to competitors, judges, and media. Don’t miss the chance to witness the climax of this year’s competition at the Grand Finale on August 4 in Durham!
Culinary Preliminary Rounds
- April 7: Sandhills Community College, Southern Pines, NC
- May 12: Central Piedmont Community College Culinary School, Charlotte, NC
- May 19: Carteret Community College, Morehead City, NC
- June 2: Wake Tech Community College School of Baking and Pastry Arts, Raleigh, NC
- June 16: AB Tech Community College, Asheville, NC
mixology Preliminary Rounds
- April 14: Piccione Vineyards, Ronda, NC
- April 28: End of Days Distillery, Wilmington, NC
culinary semifinal Rounds
- June 23: Central Piedmont Community College Culinary School, Charlotte, NC
- June 30: Wake Tech Community College School of Baking and Pastry Arts, Raleigh, NC
mixology semifinal Rounds
- July 7: Chemist Spirits, Asheville, NC
- July 14: Native Fine Diner, Greenville, NC
grand finale
- August 4 at Bay 7, American Tobacco Campus, Durham, NC
Preliminary Rounds: The adventure starts with chefs and mixologists entering the arena in five culinary and two mixology preliminary competitions. Chefs whip up savory or sweet creations, while mixologists, each paired with an NC distillery, blend craft cocktails and mocktails with flair.
Semi-Finals: Scores from the preliminaries decide who advances. The playing field is then narrowed down to eighteen chefs and eight pastry chefs who compete in one of two regional culinary semi-final rounds. Meanwhile, only twelve mixology teams move on to the semi-finals, to craft cocktails and mocktails, shaking and stirring it up for a shot at one of six spots in the Grand Finale.
The Grand Finale: The journey culminates on August 4 at Bay 7 in Durham, where the finalists compete for top honors. Only 15 chefs crafting savory dishes, five pastry chefs, and six mixology teams will make it to this stage, all aiming to be named the NCRLA’s best in their field for 2025. This is the only round of competition that is open to the public- and draws 500+ attendees.
2025 People’s Choice Awards, Powered by Sysco
After intense preliminary and semi-final rounds, six teams of mixologists—each championing an NC Distillery partner—fifteen chefs, and five pastry chefs will culminate their journey on August 4, presenting sample-sized versions of their semi-final round creations to the public. There, every competitor has a chance to win People’s Choice honors for Best Savory Dish, Best Dessert, Best Cocktail and Best Mocktail.
The 2025 Undeniably Dairy Awards
Presented by The Dairy Alliance, the Undeniably Dairy Awards honor competitors who creatively use NC cow’s milk dairy products in their dishes and drinks. While dairy use isn’t mandatory for entries, those incorporating it can win one of four awards presented by The Dairy Alliance at the Grand Finale. The Undeniably Dairy Awards will be presented to competitors for the Best Savory Dish, Best Dessert, Best Cocktail and the Best Mocktail.
Competition Rules
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
“This competition not only celebrates the culinary and mixology talents of our state but also emphasizes the importance of sourcing locally, reinforcing our commitment to North Carolina’s farms and producers.”
Lynn Minges, NCRLA President & CEO
