NCRLA announces chef lineup for 2017 NC Chef Showdown

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, creator and host of the NC Chef Showdown, announces the 16 chefs selected to compete in its second annual cooking competition. The chefs, all based in North Carolina, were selected following a rigorous application and selection process. Forty chefs total applied to the competition.

“This year’s selection brings together some of the most innovate chefs in our state. At the showdown, these chefs will use North Carolina ingredients to demonstrate their creativity and will showcase the quality of the hospitality industry in North Carolina. Event attendees and judges will get a taste of how the state’s food scene has advanced,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges.

Selected chefs—broken into two food categories, savory and sweet—are vying for the 2017 “NCRLA Chef of the Year” and “Pastry Chef of the Year” awards. Chefs will prepare and serve tasting-sized portions to event attendees. The dishes, judged by six culinary experts, will be scored on presentation, taste and use of local ingredients from North Carolina. Additional awards include “Best Use of a North Carolina Product” and “Most Creative Presentation.” The “People’s Choice” awards are determined by showdown attendees.

The 12 savory chefs are:

• Chef Thomas Card | Executive Chef | The Counting House Restaurant at the 21C            Museum Hotel | Durham
• Chef Jim Diecchio | Executive Chef | Rocksalt | Charlotte
• Chef Timothy Grandinetti | Executive Chef | Spring House Restaurant Kitchen & Bar | Winston-Salem
• Chef  Matthew Krenz | Executive Chef + Culinary Director | The Asbury at The Dunhill Hotel | Charlotte
• Chef Lil Lacassagne | Chef/Ower | Saint Jacques at The Burke Manor Inn | Gibsonville
• Chef Thomas Marlow | Executive Chef | Mimosa Grill | Charlotte
• Chef Scott Ostrander | Executive Chef | The Grand Bohemian Hotel | Asheville
• Chef Phillip Platoni | Chef De Cuisine | Southminster Continued Care Retirement Community| Charlotte
• Chef Adam Reed | Chef/ Owner | Sante | Matthews
• Chef Scott Schabot | Executive Chef | Cameron Bar and Grill | Raleigh
• Chef Bud Taylor | Chef/Owner | The Bistro Topsail | Surf City
• Chef Alyssa Wilen | Chef/Owner | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | Charlotte

The four pastry chefs include:

• Chef Julius Kalman | Owner/Pastry Chef | Vidalia | Boone
• Chef Shelby Smith | Pastry Chef | Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery | Chapel Hill
• Chef Ann Marie Stefaney | Pastry Chef | Heirloom Restaurant | Charlotte
• Chef Hannah Woociker | Pastry Chef | Highland Avenue | Hickory

“New this year, NCRLA will crown a 2017 ‘Mixologist of the Year,’ as six North Carolina distilleries will be featured with hand-picked bartenders crafting cocktails for guests and judges to enjoy,” said Minges.

Distillery/mixologist teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

The showdown is Aug. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., and coincides with the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Expo. For additional information or to purchase tickets to the 2017 NC Chef Showdown, visit www.ncchefshowdown.com.