Hello Friends, Heidi Billotto here. Back with a quick little story on how I’ve been spending my summer vacation, NCRLA Chef Showdown style.
This year is a big one, our 10th season of North Carolina’s largest culinary and mixology competition. I’ve gotten a little more excited about the upcoming NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale with every preliminary and regional round of competition that leads up to the big day! Keep reading and you will be excited too. You won’t want to miss it – get your tickets now!
From the very first preliminary heat to the final plate, I love watching our chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists bring their best to the table. Ten seasons in, the talent, the creativity, and the pure fun of it all lights me up, every time.
The 2026 Season, So Far…
Since late April/early May, I’ve been doing what I love all spring and summer long. Hanging out with a host of NC Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Mixologists and Distillers, all a part of the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown.
And now, after five preliminary rounds of culinary competition (and two regional semifinal rounds) we’ve just announced the finalists for the 2026 season.
As Executive Producer of the annual NCRLA Chef Showdown, its been a busy season for me. I have logged 11 different trips across the state. From the mountains to the coast, and all the wonderful places in between. We started things at the coast with our first preliminary round of culinary competition at Carteret Community ColIege. Our team and our judges stayed in Beaufort where the beautiful Beaufort Hotel hosted our stay. Looking for a great end of summer/early fall getaway? Beaufort, North Carolina is a great place to consider. And, if you needed a reason to go this Beaufort-based blog post tells you all the reasons why .
From the coast, we traveled up in the mountains of Asheville at A-B Tech, and the back to the sandhills in Pinehurst (read all about it here). We’ve been in Raleigh and Charlotte and out east in Washington, NC where our hosts at The Hackney let us experience everything Chef Jamie Davis brings to the table (more specific details of each of these rounds – what we ate, where we stayed and who competed – coming soon). And, in Washington we stayed at a fabulous new B&B called West Main. Book a stay at West Main and a dinner at The Hackney soon!
Meet the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown culinary finalists
Most recently, we were in Charlotte at Central Piedmont Community College and in Raleigh at Wake Tech Community College for our back to back regional semifinal rounds of culinary competition.
Now at the end of these two intense semifinal rounds of competition, I am thrilled to announce our 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown culinary finalists. Here is the list of culinary finalists.
You’ll find it to be a great mix of chefs and restaurants. From those with James Beard and Michelin nods to those running small boutique catering business, to those just starting in the industry!! I can’t wait to share all of their stories.
2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown Savory Chef Finalists
- Chef Roberto Barth, Vidrio, Raleigh
- Chef Michael Bowens, Haven at Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock
- Chef Lewis Donald, Sweet Lew’s BBQ, Charlotte
- Chef Matt Hannon, Ashten’s, Southern Pines
- Chef Bobby McFarland, Wye Hill, Raleigh
- Chef Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm, Leicester
- Chef Matt Moore, Customshop, Charlotte
- Chef James “JP” Patterson, Porter’s Neck Country Club, Wilmington
- Chef Ben Real, Cypress Hall, New Bern
- Chef Spyros Skellas, Taverna Agora, Raleigh
- Chef Brandon Staton, Supperland, Charlotte
- Chef John Tharp, Spotted Cow Steakhouse, Winston-Salem
- Chef Ericka Torres, STOKE at the Marriott Charlotte City Center, Charlotte
- Chef Jason Trivette, Chef Trivette’s Conceptions, Hickory
- Chef Chase Young, Hopfly Brewing , Asheville
2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown Pastry Chef Finalists
- Pastry Chef Lei Van Note, STOKE at the Marriott Charlotte City Center, Charlotte
- Pastry Chef Makala Beaver, King Neptune, Wrightsville Beach
- Pastry Chef Charmaine Lizette Eclain Devine, Sugo Italian Steakhouse, Wilmington
- Pastry Chef Josh Dobson, Peppervine, Charlotte
- Pastry Chef Becky Keil, Porter’s Neck Country Club, Wilmington
Here’s What Happens Next
Next stop is the coast, as we head to Wilmington for our first regional round of mixology semifinals on August 3 for the Eastern North Carolina semifinal round. Then, we are back in Charlotte on August 10 for the Western North Carolina semifinal round. On August 12-14 we’ll be announcing the six mixologists and their NC distillery partners who will be advancing the the Grand Finale to shake and stir things up there with competition cocktials featuring NC spirits and spirit-free cocktails as well.
Get Your Grand Finale Tickets today!
The Grand Finale is the only NCRLA Chef Showdown event open to the public. It all happens September 2, 2026, at Bay 7 at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. You get to taste the competition dishes and desserts, sip the cocktails crafted with North Carolina spirits and the spirit-free creations, and cast your vote for the People’s Choice favorites.
Where to Stay in Durham NC
Traveling in from out of state or anywhere in North Carolina? You are probably wondering where to stay when you come the NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale in Durham, NC? Allow me to suggest one of my favorite Durham hotels – The Durham, conveniently just blocks away from the Bay 7 venue.
Take advantage of exclusive lodging rates at The Durham Hotel, a longtime NCRLA Chef Showdown sponsor and partner. This mid-century modern boutique hotel is just a short walk from the Bay 7 venue. The hotel is offering NCRLA Chef Showdown guests a 20% discounted rate. The rate applies for Tues Sept 1 and/or Wed Sept 2, 2026. Simply use this link to make your advance reservations.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
About Heidi Billotto
Heidi Billotto is the Executive Producer of the NCRLA Chef Showdown, a widely popular annual event benefiting the NCRLA and directly giving back to North Carolina’s hospitality industry. Heidi Billotto is a culinary storyteller, educator, and on-air expert who brings local food to life wherever she goes. She connects small family farmers, independent producers, and regional makers to the people, plates, and media outlets that showcase their work, then shows her readers and followers how to bring those ingredients home to their own tables. Known for her deep relationships, genuine curiosity, joyful style, and sincere passion for all she does, Heidi elevates local food culture on the regular through cooking, teaching, travel, and media.
And whenever you see these five little words “Tell Them Heidi Sent You” (with or without the hashtag), know that they are my personal seal of approval. It means I have been there, I believe in the folks behind it, and I am sending you their way with my whole heart.
So go on… get your tickets now for the 10th annual NCRLA Chef Showdown and Tell Them Heidi Sent You!