North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Chef Showdown Winners Announced

DURHAM, N.C. (August 5, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the driving force behind North Carolina’s $35.8 billion restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, announced the winners of the ninth annual NCRLA Chef Showdown, presented by Got to Be NC, on Monday, Aug. 4 at Bay 7 in Durham, North Carolina.

The highly anticipated event, sold out to record crowds, spotlighted the state’s most talented chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists and distilleries.

“The talent on display at this year’s Chef Showdown reflects the very best of North Carolina’s hospitality industry,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NCRLA. “These chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists and distillers are not only masters of their craft, but they are also leaders shaping the future of our industry. Their creativity, passion and commitment to local ingredients inspire us all, and we’re proud to spotlight them as champions of North Carolina’s vibrant food and beverage community.”

The NCRLA Chef of the Year was awarded to Mauricio Huarcaya from Gustu Peruano in Wilmington.

NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year went to Luis Rojas from the Charlotte Marriott City Center in Charlotte.

Sarah McCabe from The Longleaf Hotel in Raleigh took top honors as the NCRLA Mixologist of the Year, partnering with Cook’s Mill Whiskey in Raleigh, who won the title of NCRLA Distillery of the Year. The NCRLA Mocktail of the Year award went to mixologist Travis James of Julep Contemporary Kitchen in Greenville.

The first runner-up for NCRLA Chef of the Year was Chef Kevin Stratton from The Depot on First in Knightdale. The first runner-up for NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year was Josh Dobson of Peppervine in Charlotte.

The 2025 Grand Finale showcased 26 individual finalists: 15 chefs creating savory plates, five pastry chefs sharing delicious desserts, and six mixology teams, each comprised of a partnership between a single mixologist and a North Carolina distillery. Each mixologist crafted a competition cocktail and a competition mocktail. Finalists each offered sample-sized portions of their semifinal competition plates, desserts and drinks that advanced them to the final round of competition.

Grand Finale attendees also got in on the fun by casting votes for their favorite dishes, desserts and drinks in the much-anticipated People’s Choice Awards, powered this year by Sysco.

The 2025 Chef Showdown People’s Choice Award winners are:

• Best Mocktail: Mixologist Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington
• Best Cocktail: Mixologist Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington
• Best Dessert: Pastry Chef Luis Rojas, Charlotte Marriott City Center, Charlotte
• Best Savory Dish: Chef Mauricio Huarcaya, Gustu Peruano, Wilmington

In addition, The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, honored chefs and mixologists who creatively incorporated North Carolina dairy into standout dishes and drinks. This year’s Undeniably Dairy Awards went to:

• Best Use of Dairy Products in a Savory Dish: Chef Bobby McFarland, Glasshouse Kitchen, Durham
• Best Use of Dairy Products in a Dessert: Chef Michael Beers, River Run Country Club, Davidson
• Best Use of Dairy Products in a Cocktail: Mixologist Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington
• Best Use of Dairy Products in a Mocktail: Mixologist Natalie Takacs, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington

The Chef Showdown competition began in April, featuring 72 competitors. Contestants competed in 11 preliminary and semifinal rounds across the state. Chefs and mixologists were judged by industry experts on presentation, taste and the use of local North Carolina ingredients.

Throughout the 2025 preliminary, semifinal and Grand Finale rounds of culinary and mixology competition, chefs and mixologists featured over 650 varieties of local proteins, produce and products sourced from more than 500 North Carolina farmers and producers.

As part of the grand finale, attendees enjoyed a special NC Wine Bar featuring award-winning wines from the 2025 NC Wine Competition, hosted by the NC Wine and Grape Council.

In addition to their titles, this year’s top four title winners and the two culinary runners-up will join the 2025-26 Got to Be NC team of culinary and beverage ambassadors, furthering their role in promoting North Carolina’s rich gastronomic and agricultural heritage.

*Finalists are available for interviews. Photos available upon request.

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