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, …
Hurricane Emergency Response Toolkit
The approach of hurricane season has prompted North Carolinians to prepare for its potential impacts in the coming months. Tropical storms and hurricanes cause significant damage and flooding in coastal areas, and beyond. The below information and best practices will help hoteliers and …
NCRLA Urges Southport Leaders to Rethink Regressive Meals Tax
RALEIGH, NC (March 18, 2024) — The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) has expressed firm opposition to the City of Southport’s request to impose a 1% prepared food and beverage tax. In a letter sent to the Southport Board of Aldermen, NCRLA warned that the proposal would …
Asheville and Cary High Schools Advance to the 2025 National ProStart Invitational
DURHAM, NC (March 14, 2025) – Earlier this month, 12 teams of high-schoolers from nine high schools in North Carolina put their culinary and management skills to the test at the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Foundation’s (NCRLAF) annual North Carolina ProStart Invitational …
Reflecting on Five Years Since COVID-19
Our Industry's Resilience and Recovery This month marks a solemn yet significant milestone – five years since our restaurants and hotels faced unprecedented closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we reflect on this anniversary, we am filled with immense pride in how our industry demonstrated …
Hospitality Excellence Shines at NCRLA 2025 Stars of the Industry Awards
DURHAM, N.C. (February 25, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the unifying voice of North Carolina’s restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, proudly hosted its annual Stars of the Industry Awards last night. Held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, the …
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 …
Jason Smith Elected Chair of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Board
Durham, N.C. (February 24, 2025) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) today announced the election of Jason Smith, owner of 18 Restaurant Group, as chair of its board of directors. Smith, a Raleigh native and accomplished restaurateur, was officially sworn in during …
Culinary and Mixology Experts Awarded Top Honors at 2024 NCRLA Chef Showdown
Our chefs and mixologists supported over 500 North Carolina farmers and producers using local ingredients more than 650 times. DURHAM, N.C. (August 27, 2024) – The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the driving force behind North Carolina’s $34.9 billion restaurant, …
