It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Time for us to raise a glass or two; and celebrate the 10 teams participating in this year’s Chef Showdown Mixology Semifinals. It’s all a part of the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown. By next week this field of 10 talented competitors will be narrowed to six 2025 finalists. But here is what is happening in the meantime.
Monday, July 7, was a hot July day in the heart of Asheville; as it was in much of the Old North State. But, thanks to a charming covered bar and just the right touch of summer breeze ( and a few fans, I’m not gonna lie), the rooftop at The Antidote Cocktail Bar at Chemist, our competition venue for this round, stayed cool…at least temperature-wise. The competition, on the other hand? Absolutely on fire.
The rooftop scenery, Asheville’s mountain air, and the incredible lineup of drinks made this day of competition. It was a perfect midsummer moment, and everyone had a ton of fun.
The Western NC Mixology Semifinal of the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown brought the heat in all the right ways. Bold flavors, creative technique, homegrown spirits, and an electric lineup of bartenders who were there to shake things up. Important to note, they also stirred in a little magic while they were at it.
Belly Up to the Bar and Meet the Chef Showdown Mixology Semifinals Judges
This round’s panel of expert judges was a powerhouse trio of cocktail pros. Each one a leader in North Carolina’s ever-rising mixology and hospitality scene.
Meet the Judges:
• David Bowen, of Easy Talk in Winston-Salem and 2022 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year
• Amy Waas, of Bar Beej at Cheeni in Durham and a 2025 James Beard Semifinalist for Best New Bar
• Miguel Angel Latorre, Jr., of Clayton, NC and the reigning 2024 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year
Of course, I love that they were all also very agreeable to all of my photo escapades. I had them posing for fun shots and boomerang videos at every turn. Thanks to Chef Beth Thompson-Peace who worked with us at this round as well (center shot below, to the left). Below, you’ll see the still shots. But know, there is a boomerang video to go with every one. Check out my social feeds later this week to watch the fun!
This crew has amazing palates and knew exactly what they were looking for in scoring and selecting winning cocktails and mocktails. It all came down to balance, creativity, technique, and a good story behind the glass.
The Competitors: Charlotte Came to Play
As it turned out, in this round all of our mixologists and most of our distilleries were from in and around Charlotte, North Carolina. Representing the Queen City in full force, these five talented bartenders were set to impress with their original cocktail & mocktail creations, each featuring spirits from a North Carolina distillery partner. Go see all of them next time you are out on the town in Charlotte. They all have done a lot to raise the bar in the Queen City.
• Sekani Akunyun of Lorem Ipsum, a Listening Bar in Charlotte, partnered with Mystic Farm & Distillery in Durham
• Ashley Sarkis of Yunta Peruvian Restaurant in Charlotte, partnered with Oaklore Distilling Co. in Matthews
• Connor Schlosser of Folia in Charlotte, partnered with Chemist Spirits right there in Asheville
• Lauren Burkert of Free Range Brewing in Charlotte, partnered with Great Wagon Road Distilling in Charlotte
• Sean Teague of Chiefs Cocktail Bar in Charlotte, partnered with Southern Artisan Spirits in Kings Mountain
Each bartender had 90 mins to prep and 30 minutes to mix, muddle, and magic their way through a signature cocktail and mocktail, and while I can’t divulge drink details just yet; let’s just say, no one played it safe. The distillers followed with 10 minutes to chat about their spirits and the distillery itself.
From housemade infusions and infused syrups to bold flavor pairings and fun creative garnishes, this round was a true celebration of North Carolina’s homegrown talent and spirit-forward innovation. Together this group of five competitors featured 40 different farmers and producers in their competition drinks.
In Support of Western North Carolina
While we where in town, our team and the trio of judges tried hard to support as many local Western North Carolina businesses as we could. We competed at the Antidote, of course; and enjoyed a tour of the Chemist Distillery while we were on site. Amazing all that goes into crafting local spirits. All of our competing distilleries – like the team at Chemist – do it well.
The night after the day of mixology competition we very much enjoyed a judges’ dinner at White Labs Brewing Company on South Charlotte Street. We had a judges’ dinner here with our culinary judges when we came to Asheville for the Western NC culinary preliminary round. I loved it and couldn’t wait to go back for more!
There is beer, of course; but this place is all about fermentation. And that applies to the amazing pizza dough, the kimchi and the fries, as well!
It’s a hidden gem you don’t want to miss. These pics will whet your palate. Stay tuned for more of the deliciousness in one of my “Where we Ate” reels on instagram, coming up soon.
Judges’ Brunch Starts a New Competition Tradition
The morning after we were all on our respective ways back home. Until we decided that brunch seemed like the very best idea. And it was. Our group landed at Leo’s House of Thirst on Haywood Road. A 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Best Wine Bar, Leos is now open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You should definitely check out this cute little spot next time you are in town. There is seating indoors and out and the food is as good as the award-winning wine list. More info in one of my “Where We Ate” instagram reels coming soon.
We also enjoyed local eats during the day of competition, between the cocktail and mocktail presentations.
While we didn’t get photos ( insert sad face emoji here), Through the day we snacked on incredible dumplings and crispy eggrolls stuffed with a nice variety of fillings from Shanghai Dumpling House on Biltmore Avenue; and a mix of sandwiches and “fun bites”Snicky Snack’s from the new Hail Mary on Haywood Ave. Omigosh, the Hail Mary PBJ Brussels are a must have for sure!
Up Next: We’ll be Stirring and Shaking it up in Greenville, NC
Meanwhile. Next up: the second and final round of the 2025 NCRLA Mixology Semifinals, happens on July 14 in Greenville, NC at Native Fine Diner. Native is home to Chef Luke Owens, 2022 First Runner-Up for NCRLA Chef of the Year.
This round’s bartenders – all from the mid to Eastern part of the state, are ready to stir and shake things up behind the bar. Again, each mixologists is paired with a North Carolina distillery:
• Kayla Wenzel, is at home at Native Fine Diner in Greenville, NC, and is partnering with 1000 Piers Gin/Hackney Distillery in Washington, NC
• Meggan Mendoza, of Weldon Mills Distillery in Durham, NC is keeping it close to home partnering with Weldon Mills Distillery
• Natalie Takacs, at End of Days Distillery in Wilmington, NC is doing the same, partnering with End of Days Distillery
• Sarah McCabe, of The Longleaf Hotel in Raleigh, is partnering with Cook’s Mill Whiskey , also based in Raleigh, NC
• Travis James, of Julep Contemporary Kitchen in Greenville, NC, is keeping it in Greenville partnering with CRUSH Vodka, Greenville’s first distillery.
Who will rise to the top and claim one of the six mixology finalists spots at the Grand Finale in Durham? We’ll keep you guessing until that official announcement drops. Let’s just say: it’s going to be one heck of a showdown. Stay tuned, sip local, and follow along for all the spirited updates.
Don’t Miss the Grand Finale. Tickets on Sale Now!
On Wednesday, July 16, we’ll announce the six mixology teams advancing to the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale on August 4 at Bay 7 in Durham. Each of the finalists will recreate the same competition cocktails and mocktails they presented in the semifinal rounds.
At the Grand Finale, we’ll crown winners in the following categories:
🏆 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year
🏆 Distillery of the Year
🏆 Mocktail of the Year
🏆 Chef of the Year
🏆 Pastry Chef of the Year
Also taking center stage are the Undeniably Dairy Awards, sponsored by The Dairy Alliance, celebrating the best use of North Carolina cow’s milk dairy products in cocktails, mocktails, savory dishes, and sweet desserts.
Guests will taste, sip, and score their favorites to help decide this year’s People’s Choice Award winners, proudly powered by Sysco.
Plus, don’t miss the Carolina Cooker Raffle—your chance to win one of the same pans our chefs cooked with during competition (yes, we’ve cleaned them up for you to take home and enjoy!)
And for the first time ever, guests can sip and swirl award-winning North Carolina wine, mead, and cider at the competition’s brand-new NC Wine Bar.
Call your besties and your business partners and make plans for a great evening celebrated North Carolina’s hospitality industry. Come ready to cheer on the best of North Carolina food and drink, our local farmers, chefs, mixologists, distilleries and wineries. Take it from me, this is one incredible night out, you don’t want to miss?
Staying in Durham? I’ve Got the Place!
If you are planning on coming in from out of town for the Aug 4 NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale, I invite you to come early, explore, and stay at The Durham Hotel. Or, if you live in the area, treat yourself to a nice little staycation.
The Durham is one of my favorite spots. It’s a mid-century modern boutique hotel in the heart of downtown, just a short walk or drive to/from the Bay 7 venue at the American Tobacco Campus.
You’ll love the local snacks in the rooms; the fresh ground Counter Culture coffee delivered to your door in the morning; and all the food and drink, the Durham offers in their lobby restaurant/coffee bar.
Pro Tip Here: Order the Marcola Coffee Tonic – it’s n/a, adorably addictive and literally, the talk of the town. I can’t go to Durham without stopping in for one. Just do it. You can thank me later!
While you are there, don’t forget to check out the rooftop bar. There is so much to love here, you’re gonna want to stay a night or two!
The Durham is offering an exclusive 20% discounted rate for the NCRLA Chef Showdown goers for the evenings of Sunday, August 3rd and Monday, August 4th, 2025.
Click Here to Book Now or call 919-768-8830 and ask for the NCRLA Chef Showdown rate. #TellThemHeidiSentYou