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, …
NCRLA Announces Top 10 Teams Advancing to Regional Rounds of 2025 Chef Showdown Mixology Competition
North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Lynn Minges Announces Retirement at End of 2025
Raleigh, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – After 13 years successfully leading one of North Carolina’s largest and most influential trade associations, advancing and protecting all aspects of the state’s hospitality industry, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (NCRLA) President and CEO …
NCRLA Board Elects New Slate of Officers for 2024
Tom Pashley of Pinehurst Resort is Board Chair At its annual meeting in Durham on Feb. 12, the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) Board elected Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley to serve as chair for a one-year term. He was sworn in by the board of directors …
NCRLA Foundation Rolls Out $1.1 Million Hospitality and Tourism Workforce Training Program and Online Portal
RALEIGH, NC - Feb. 15 – As the hospitality and tourism industry continues to rebound from impacts of the pandemic, North Carolina restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and venues continue to struggle with lingering labor shortages. The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) …
Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center and Asheville High School High School Advance to 2026 National ProStart Competition
RALEIGH, N.C. (March 9, 2026) – North Carolina’s next generation of hospitality professionals took center stage March 8–9 as five teams from four high schools competed in the North Carolina ProStart Invitational (NCPI), hosted by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Foundation …
NCRLA Launches Statewide Hospitality Summit Series with Inaugural Meeting in Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. (February 25, 2026) – The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) today hosted its inaugural Hospitality Summit in Greensboro, officially launching the Association’s new statewide Hospitality Summit Series. The series is designed to convene restaurant and lodging …
NCRLA Recognizes Hospitality Excellence at 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards
DURHAM, N.C. (February 24, 2026) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly celebrated the very best of hospitality at its annual Stars of the Industry Awards, held last night at the …
Sheri Erhart Elected Chair of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Board
DURHAM, N.C. (February 23, 2026) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), today announced the election of Sheri Erhart, chief operating officer of CMC Hotels, as chair of its board of directors. Erhart was officially sworn in during NCRLA’s Annual Meeting in …
Michelin Guide Honors North Carolina Restaurants in Historic First
The culinary world turned its eyes to the South this evening as the Michelin Guide unveiled its inaugural American South selection, spotlighting restaurants across North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The full selection was announced at a ceremony held at …
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, …
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Names Allen Thomas as Incoming President & CEO
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) announced today that Allen Thomas has been unanimously selected by its Board of Directors as the association’s next President & CEO, following an extensive national search. Thomas will assume his new role on …
NCRLA Foundation Awards $37,500 in Scholarships to Future Hospitality Leaders
RALEIGH, N.C. — The NCRLA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA), proudly announces the recipients of its 2025–2026 scholarships. Twelve students across North Carolina have been selected for their dedication to pursuing …
North Carolina Businesses Urge Passage of House Bill 650 to End Unfair Swipe Fees on Sales Tax
RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) are calling on state lawmakers to pass House Bill 650—a commonsense measure that would end the practice of charging credit card "swipe fees" on sales taxes that …
