Wilmington chefs take top honors at 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two Wilmington-area chefs were recognized with top honors during the 10th annual North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef Showdown in Durham.
The competition’s Grand Finale was held Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Bay 7, bringing together culinary and beverage professionals from across North Carolina.
Charmaine Devine of Sugo Italian Steakhouse in Wilmington was named the 2026 NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year.
Devine also won the People’s Choice Award for Best Dessert, as selected by attendees at the Grand Finale.
The Wilmington area also had a winner in the competition’s Dairy Does More Awards. Pastry Chef Makala Beaver of King Neptune in Wrightsville Beach was recognized for Best Use of Dairy in a Dessert.
The awards were part of a statewide competition that featured a record 102 competitors across 11 preliminary and semifinal rounds.
The 2026 competition included categories recognizing chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists and distilleries. Competitors were judged on factors including presentation, taste and their use of North Carolina ingredients.
Organizers said competitors used nearly 1,000 locally produced North Carolina proteins, produce and other products throughout this year’s competition.
The Chef Showdown began in 2016 with 12 chefs and four pastry chefs. It has since expanded into a statewide culinary and beverage competition highlighting North Carolina food, agriculture and hospitality professionals.
The four category winners and two culinary runners-up will serve as part of the 2026-27 Got to Be NC team of culinary and beverage ambassadors, promoting North Carolina’s agricultural and culinary heritage throughout the coming year.
