2026 Chef Showdown Application

Thank you for your interest in applying for the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown presented by Got to be NC. Please complete the form below to apply. If you have trouble with the form or have any questions regarding competition dates or completing your application to compete, please contact NCRLA Chef Showdown host and producer Heidi Billotto at 704-502-4439 or HeidiBillotto@gmail.com.

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Competitor's Name(Required)

First Last

Competitor's Email(Required)

Must be for the competitor. No PR Firms please.

Enter Email Confirm Email

Competitor's Cell Phone(Required)

Must be for the competitor. No PR Firms please.

I’m applying to compete as a:(Required)

Savory Chef

Pastry Chef

NC Distillery

NC Mixologist

I have read and understand the competition rules.(Required)

Click here to open and read the Culinary Competition rules in a new tab

Yes

I have read and understand the competition rules.(Required)

Click here to open and read the Mixology Competition rules in a new tab

Yes

Mixologists

Mixologist's Name(Required)

First Last

Mixologist's Cell Phone(Required)

Mixologist's Direct Email Address(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Employer(Required)

Must be located in NC

Your Position / Title(Required)

Are you or your employer a member of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA)?(Required)

Yes

Distillery Contact Name ( this is the person who will be appearing on behalf of the distillery)

First Last

Distiller's Direct Email Address(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Distiller's Cell Phone(Required)

Distillery Website(Required)

Distillery Facebook

Mixologist Facebook

Distillery Instagram

Mixologist Instagram

Distillery TikTok

Mixologist TikTok

Distillery LinkedIn

Mixologist LinkedIn

Other Distillery Social Media (if applicable)

Other Mixologist Social Media (if applicable)

Other Distillery Social Media (if applicable)

Other Mixologist Social Media (if applicable)

Do you ( or the bar or restaurant you represent) have a Public Relations/Marketing representative?

Yes

PR Rep Name

First Last

PR Rep Email

PR Rep Cell #

What type of liquor does your distillery partner produce?(Required)

Is their liquor distilled in NC?(Required)

Yes

Which of their products would you like to showcase at the 2026 NC Chef Showdown? Do they produce any non-alcoholic mixers or products?(Required)

What is the most off-the-wall cocktail you've ever created and what was the occasion?(Required)

Do you have any behind-the-bar superstitions? Tell us your story:(Required)

Why do you want to participate in NCRLA’s Chef Showdown? Do you regularly use local North Carolina products in your beverage service? Please list some of your regular or season go-to local ingredients(Required)

Please upload a high res logo of your partner distillery:

PNG format only please

Accepted file types: png, Max. file size: 10 MB.

If applicable, please upload a high res logo for your business or your employer.

PNG format only please

Accepted file types: png, Max. file size: 10 MB.

Headshot Photo

Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.

Mixologists and distillers will compete as a team in one of two preliminary rounds of our Mixology Competition. At the preliminary round, each mixologist or bartender will be required to create one unique craft cocktail using the distillery's spirit(s); and one craft mocktail. Each competition drink must feature as many NC products as possible. Each distiller will be expected to present a brief introduction to their distillery as part of the competition. The two will compete as a team. As noted in the rules, the top scoring teams will be invited to move on to a second, semi-final round of competition, where competitors will craft a second and different craft cocktail using the distillery's spirit(s); and a second, different craft mocktail. Each competition drink must feature as many NC products as possible.(Required)

Please select the preliminary round(s) you are able to attend. You may check all rounds, if you can be flexible and don’t have a preferred location. If this is the case, you will be assigned a competition location with your invitation to compete.

June 1: Eastern North Carolina Mixology Round, Location TBA

June 22: Western North Carolina Mixology Round, Location TBA

I confirm…(Required)

I confirm, if selected to advance all the way through the competition, that I am available to compete on Wednesday, September 2 at the Grande Finale at Bay 7 at the American Tobacco District in Durham NC.

⬇️ Please click below to submit your application. Thank you!

2026 Chef Showdown Application

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