DURHAM, N.C. (September 3, 2026) – What began in 2016 as a one-night competition, with 12 chefs and four pastry chefs, has grown into North Carolina’s premier culinary and mixology competition.
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Chef Showdown on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Bay 7 in Durham, bringing together the state’s top culinary and beverage talent for a monumental celebration.
“The talent represented at this year’s Chef Showdown reflects the incredible depth and creativity of North Carolina’s hospitality industry,” said Allen Thomas, president and CEO of NCRLA. “We were excited to celebrate the accomplishments of all our 2026 finalists in Durham and to recognize the 2026 Chef Showdown champions, while giving friends, family and hospitality fans from across the state an opportunity to cheer them on.”
Presented by Got to Be NC, the 2026 Chef Showdown featured a record 102 competitors and 11 preliminary and semifinal rounds held across North Carolina. Over the past decade, the competition has expanded to recognize excellence across culinary, pastry, mixology and spirits, while showcasing the farmers, producers and North Carolina products that help make the state’s food and beverage industry distinctive.
“Every year, we see competitors bring incredible creativity, passion and pride to the table, and the 10th anniversary Grand Finale was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only this year’s finalists, but everyone who has helped make the NCRLA Chef Showdown grow into all it is today,” said Heidi Billotto, executive producer of NCRLA’s Chef Showdown. “Ten years in, the talent and heart of the people in this industry still never ceases to amaze me. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of bringing everyone together to celebrate this milestone season.”
The 2026 NCRLA Chef of the Year was awarded to Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester.
Charmaine Devine of Sugo Italian Steakhouse in Wilmington was named NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year.
Ashley Sarkis of Yunta Nikkei in Charlotte took top honors as NCRLA Mixologist of the Year, partnering with Muddy River Distillery in Mount Holly, which was named NCRLA Distillery of the Year. This is the second Distiller of the Year award for Muddy River Distillery. They have the unique distinction of also being the very first NCRLA Distillery of the Year, a title they first captured in 2017.
The NCRLA First Runner-Up Chef of the Year was Bobby McFarland of Wye Hill in Raleigh, while Josh Dobson of Deepwell in Mooresville was named NCRLA First Runner-Up Pastry Chef of the Year. This is Dobson’s second First Runner-Up title. He was also named NCRLA First Runner-Up Pastry Chef of the Year in 2025.
In addition to the top Championship title, Sarkis earned honors for building the Best Cocktail of the Year, while Everette Young of Daingerfields at the Westglow Spa in Blowing Rock was recognized for crafting the Best Spirit-Free Cocktail of the Year.
The 2026 Chef Showdown began in the spring and featured 102 competitors across 11 preliminary rounds. Top North Carolina chefs and mixologists tasted and scored each preliminary round presentation, respectively. The field was then narrowed as a total of 46 chefs, pastry chefs and mixologists advanced to the semifinal rounds of competition. In each of four regional semi-final rounds, past NCRLA Chef Showdown Champions sat at both the mixology and culinary Judges Tables, scoring competitors on presentation, taste and their use of local North Carolina ingredients.
Throughout the 2026 preliminary and semifinal rounds, competitors showcased North Carolina-grown, raised and produced ingredients, highlighting the local farmers, artisan makers and producers who bring food to our collective table. Competing chefs and mixologists showcased nearly 1,000 locally produced North Carolina proteins, produce and products during the 2026 competition series.
The Sept. 2 Grand Finale at Bay 7 served as a celebration and showcase of this year’s winners and finalists, giving attendees an opportunity to sample dishes, desserts, cocktails and spirit-free cocktails from some of North Carolina’s leading culinary and beverage talent. Attendees were also able to sip and swirl through a dozen plus award-winning North Carolina wines.
Grand Finale attendees also had the opportunity to cast votes for their favorite dishes and drinks in the much-anticipated People’s Choice Awards, powered by Sysco. Winners in the four People’s Choice categories were:
- Best Savory Dish: Roberto Barth, Vidrio, Raleigh
- Best Dessert: Charmaine Devine, Sugo Italian Steakhouse, Wilmington
- Best Cocktail: Zach Benson, Supperland, Charlotte | Outer Banks Distilling, Manteo
- Best Spirit-Free Cocktail: Everette Young, Daingerfields at the Westglow Spa , Blowing Rock
Dairy Does More Awards
The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, also recognized competitors who creatively incorporated North Carolina dairy into standout dishes and drinks through its Dairy Does More Awards.
The 2026 winners are:
- Best Use of Dairy in a Savory Dish: Chef Matt Hannon, Ashten’s, Southern Pines
- Best Use of Dairy in a Dessert: Pastry Chef Makala Beaver, King Neptune, Wrightsville Beach
- Best Use of Dairy in a Cocktail: Zach Benson, Supperland, Charlotte
- Best Use of Dairy in a Spirit-Free Cocktail: Ashley Sarkis, Yunta Nikkei, Charlotte
Beyond the Competition
In addition to their titles, this year’s four category winners and the two culinary runners-up will join the 2026-27 Got to Be NC team of culinary and beverage ambassadors, helping promote North Carolina’s rich agricultural and culinary heritage throughout the coming year.
The NCRLA Chef Showdown is a signature NCRLA event celebrating North Carolina’s hospitality professionals and the farmers, producers and products that make the state’s food and beverage industry unique. Learn more at www.ncchefshowdown.com.
NCRLA is the uniting force of North Carolina’s hospitality industry, representing and advocating for more than 25,000 businesses that employ 9% of the state’s workforce and generate more than $36.7 billion in annual sales. NCRLA’s mission is to protect, educate and promote the state’s hospitality industry. Learn more at www.ncrla.org.
Media Contacts:
Chris Mackey
Chief Strategy and Communications Officer
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
919-747-2205
cmackey@ncrla.org
Heidi Billotto
Event Executive Producer
heidibillotto@gmail.com
*Finalists are available for interviews. View photos from the event below.
2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown Champions
2026 Dairy Does More Award Winners
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