Coastal culinary pros honored at NCRLA Chef Showdown
DURHAM, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association announced the winners of the eighth annual NCRLA Chef Showdown, presented by Got To Be NC, on Monday, Aug. 26 at Bay 7 in Durham.
The event celebrates the best culinary and mixology talent in the state, serving guests an array of sweet and savory bites, cocktails and mocktails crafted from a host of local ingredients.
The NCRLA Chef of the Year was awarded to Matthew Deering from Dot Dot Dot in Charlotte, while NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year went to Savanna Brodar from The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. NCRLA Mixologist and Distiller of the Year was claimed by Miguel Angel Latorre, Jr. from Revival 1869 in Clayton, and Broadslab Distillery in Benson was honored as the 2024 Distillery of the Year. Latorre, Jr. also won the newest category for the competition: Best Mocktail of the Year.
The first runner-up for NCRLA Chef of the Year was Olajuwon Mason of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, Viking Dining from Elizabeth City. The first runner-up for NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year was Gerald Hawkins, Jr. of the Beach Shop & Grill in Topsail Beach and Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington.
The grand finale showcased the top 20 chefs, five pastry chefs and six bartender and distillery teams, offering tasting-sized portions of their finest creations to over 500 attendees. Guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorite dishes and drinks, determining the People’s Choice award winners across several categories. The 2024 People’s Choice Award winners were:
People’s Choice for Best Mocktail: Mixologist Conley Marie, The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh
People’s Choice for Best Cocktail: Mixologist Gus Bellavida, End of Days Distillery, Wilmington
People’s Choice for Best Dessert: Chef Jill Heaton, Ivory Road, Arden
People’s Choice Best Savory Dish: Chef Mauricio Huarcaya, Gustu Peruano, Wilmington
In addition to the primary awards, chefs and mixologists were also awarded for their creative use of dairy products and Pepsi products.
The Undeniably Dairy Awards recognized chefs, pastry chefs and bartenders who best showcased North Carolina dairy products:
Best Use of Dairy Products in a Dessert: Pastry Chef Mary Jayne Wilson, Thoughtful Baking Co., Charlotte
Best Use of Dairy Products in a Savory Dish: Chef Theresa Norris, M Restaurants and M Pocha, Durham
Best Use of Dairy Products in a Cocktail: Mixologist Conley Marie, The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh
Best Use of Dairy Products in a Mocktail: Mixologist Conley Marie, The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh
The Born in the Carolinas Awards was presented by Pepsi Bottling Ventures, recognizing creative use of Pepsi products in cocktails and mocktails:
Best Use of a Pepsi Product in a Cocktail: Mixologist Miguel Angel Latorre, Jr., Revival 1869, Clayton
Best Use of a Pepsi Product in a Mocktail: Mixologist Zig Payton, Kingfisher, Durham
The Chef Showdown competition began in March, featuring 84 contestants. Contestants competed in 11 preliminary and semifinal rounds across the state. Chefs and mixologists were judged by industry experts on presentation, taste and the use of local North Carolina ingredients. Together, through the dozen rounds of competition, including the Chef Showdown Grand Finale, the 2024 chefs and mixologists supported over 500 North Carolina farmers and producers using their ingredients more than 650 different times. As part of the grand finale, attendees enjoyed a special wine tasting featuring award-winning wines from the 2024 NC Wine Competition, hosted by the NC Wine and Grape Council. Each wine was expertly paired with the evening’s tasting plates, showcasing North Carolina’s vibrant wine industry.
In addition to their titles, this year’s winners join the 2024-2025 Got To Be NC team of culinary and beverage ambassadors, furthering their role in promoting North Carolina’s rich gastronomic and agricultural heritage.
