May 9, 2025 - Food and Drink
Charlotte chefs and mixologists compete in a statewide competition
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Chefs and mixologists from across North Carolina are competing in the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown, a statewide culinary and mixology competition.
Why it matters: The competition is a celebration of the state's food scene with chefs and mixologists creating dishes and drinks using North Carolina products.
Driving the news: Preliminary rounds are underway. Chefs will compete Monday, May 12, at the Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.
Between the lines: Monday's event is not open to the public, but the finale on Aug. 7 at Bay 7 in Durham will be.
- Tickets go on sale on May 14. You'll sample 15 savory dishes, five desserts, six cocktails and six mocktails. Plus, you'll vote for your favorites.
Here are Charlotte's competitors:
Savory chefs:
- Tchnavia Carter, Community Matters Café
- Chris Childs, Kaioken Labs
- Eric Crays, private chef
- Allen Evans, ET Catering
- Myles Scaglione, Dot Dot Dot
- Whit Thomas, Mazi
- Chase Young, Union Barbecue
Pastry chefs:
- Michael Beers, River Run Country Club (Davidson)
- Josh Dobson, Peppervine
- Brenda Feaster, Brenda's Creations
- Shikira Grimes, Community Matters Café
- Oscar Johnson, Jimmy Pearls Chesapeake Kitchen
- Suzette Ramsey, CakeAble
- Luis Rojas, Charlotte Marriott City Center
Mixologists
- Ashley Sarkis of Yunta is working with Oaklore Distilling Co. (Matthews).
- Connor Schlosser of Folia is collaborating with Chemist Spirits (Asheville).
- Lauren Burkert of Free Range Brewing is partnering with Great Wagon Road Distilling (Charlotte).
- Sean Teague of Chief's is working with Southern Artisan Spirits (Kings Mountain).
- Sekani Akunyun of Lorem Ipsum is working with Mystic Farm & Distillery (Durham).