The Dairy Alliance Shines Spotlight on 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown Champs

DURHAM, NC, September 18, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, recently honored the culinary talents of North Carolina at the 2026 Chef Showdown. The tenth season of the competition took place in Durham, NC, and brought together top chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and distilleries to face off with their boldly crafted creations. The high-stakes showdown had culinary creatives compete for the titles of Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Mixologist & Distillery of the Year, and Best Mocktail of the Year.

The Dairy Alliance also recognized chefs and mixologists who most creatively featured local dairy in their creations with the Dairy Does More Awards. The Dairy Alliance named the following 2026 winners:

Best Savory Dish - Chef Matt Hannon
Best Dessert - Chef Makala Beaver
Best Cocktail - Mixologist Zach Benson
Best Mocktail - Mixologist Ashley Sarkis

The Dairy Does More winners showcased the versatility of North Carolina dairy, incorporating it into dishes and beverages in creative ways that helped their creations stand out. Chef Matt Hannon of Ashten's in Southern Pines earned Best Savory Dish for his lamb barbacoa with summer bean salad, whipped burrata, and purple honey. The whipped burrata added a rich, creamy element to the savory dish while complementing the bold flavors of the lamb and seasonal ingredients.

Pastry Chef Makala Beaver of King Neptune in Wrightsville Beach earned Best Dessert for her Southern-inspired tiramisu featuring a rum-soaked cornmeal ladyfinger, peach butter, and sorghum mascarpone. The mascarpone brought a creamy richness to the dessert while helping Beaver put a distinctly Southern spin on a classic Italian favorite. Beaver's win was also a memorable moment of the evening, as she delivered an emotional acceptance speech following the award.

Mixologist Zach Benson of Outer Banks Distilling in Manteo earned Best Cocktail for his Dairy Does More creation, which showcased how dairy can extend beyond traditional culinary applications and into creative beverage development. His recognition highlighted the role dairy can play in creating distinctive flavors and textures in craft cocktails. Benson's cocktail was also named the 2026 People's Choice Favorite alongside Outer Banks Distilling.

Mixologist Ashley Sarkis of Yunta Nikkei in Charlotte earned Best Mocktail for Sweet Carolina, incorporating cream from Wholesome Country Creamery into a cardamom-sugar whipped cream topping. The use of dairy added texture, flavor, and visual appeal to the spirit-free beverage, showcasing an unexpected way to incorporate North Carolina dairy into a crafted drink. Sarkis' Dairy Does More Spirit-Free Cocktail also helped her clinch the 2026 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year Championship.

The Dairy Does More Awards were presented during the Chef Showdown Grand Finale at Bay 7 in Durham, where Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, attended to present the awards and celebrate the four culinary professionals recognized for their creative use of dairy. The recognition highlights how dairy can bring versatility and creativity to everything from savory dishes and desserts to cocktails and mocktails.

Together, this year's winners demonstrated that dairy does more, serving as a source of inspiration for culinary professionals to experiment with flavor, texture, and presentation while showcasing the quality and versatility of North Carolina dairy.

A complete list of finalists and their competition dishes, desserts, and drinks is available at NCChefShowdown.com.

To learn more about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow @TheDairyAlliance on Facebook or Instagram.

About The Dairy Alliance
The Dairy Alliance is a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families of the Southeast. We work diligently with dairy farmers, schools, sports teams, health professionals, local organizations, state leaders, the media, and the public to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry. Our efforts center in eight states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

About NCRLA
The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) is the driving force behind the state's $30 billion hospitality industry. The mission is to Protect, Educate, and Promote the North Carolina hospitality industry. To learn more about NCRLA or its membership opportunities and cost-saving benefits, please visit www.ncrla.org.

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