RALEIGH, N.C. — After two spirited preliminary rounds of the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown Mixology Competition held in April, the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) has announced the 10 teams advancing to the regional round of competition.
From an initial field of 17 teams, these North Carolina-based mixologist-distillery duos will continue their journey to the Grand Finale on August 4, where the titles of 2025 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year, Distillery of the Year, and Mocktail of the Year will be awarded.
Each team features one North Carolina mixologist paired with a partnering North Carolina distillery. The next round of competition will take place in July at two regional events:
- Western NC Regional Round at Chemist Spirits, Asheville
- Eastern NC Regional Round at Native Fine Diner, Greenville
In the regional rounds, competitors will be challenged to create a second craft cocktail featuring their partner distillery’s spirits, along with a second craft mocktail. Both drinks must incorporate ingredients sourced from local farmers and producers across North Carolina.
A panel of three former NCRLA Mixology Champions will judge each July event. The names of the judges will be revealed at the kickoff of the first regional competition.
During the preliminary rounds, more than 140 Got to Be NC ingredients were used in competition cocktails and mocktails—from fresh produce to syrups, salts, honeys, and herbs—underscoring NCRLA’s commitment to promoting North Carolina’s agriculture and beverage industries.
Advancing Mixology Teams:
The final leg of the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown Mixology Competition promises even more innovation and creativity as these top-tier teams prepare to represent their regions and raise the bar once again:
- Mixologist Ashley Sarkis, Yunta (Charlotte), partnering with Oaklore Distilling Co. (Matthews)
- Mixologist Connor Schlosser, Folia (Charlotte), partnering with Chemist Spirits (Asheville)
- Mixologist Kayla Wenzel, Native Fine Diner (Greenville), partnering with 1000 Piers Gin/Hackney Distillery (Washington)
- Mixologist Lauren Burkert, Free Range Brewing (Charlotte), partnering with Great Wagon Road Distilling (Charlotte)
- Mixologist Meggan Mendoza, Weldon Mills Distillery (Durham), partnering with Weldon Mills Distillery
- Mixologist Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery (Wilmington), partnering with End of Days Distillery
- Mixologist Sarah McCabe, The Longleaf Hotel (Raleigh), partnering with Cook’s Mill Whiskey (Raleigh)
- Mixologist Sean Teague, Chiefs Cocktail Bar (Charlotte), partnering with Southern Artisan Spirits (Kings Mountain)
- Mixologist Sekani Akunyun, Lorem Ipsum, a Listening Bar (Charlotte), partnering with Mystic Farm & Distillery (Durham)
- Mixologist Travis James, Julep Contemporary Kitchen (Greenville), partnering with CRUSH Vodka (Greenville)
For more information about the NCRLA Chef Showdown and to follow the competition, visit NCChefShowdown.com and follow NCRLA and NCRLA Chef Showdown on social media. Tickets to the Grand Finale go on sale June 2. Guests at the finale can sample sweet and savory bites and sip cocktails and mocktails prepared by the finalists. They’ll also cast votes for their Sysco People’s Choice favorites. And for the first time ever, the Grand Finale will feature a NC Wine Bar.
Media Contact:
Heidi Billotto, Executive Producer and Host, NCRLA Chef Showdown
About NCRLA
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) is the voice of North Carolina’s $35.8 billion hospitality industry. Representing more than 20,000 businesses statewide, NCRLA is committed to protecting, educating, and promoting the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries across the state.
