Dairy Alliance Celebrates Creative Use of Local Dairy at 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown

The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, recently recognized culinary professionals who showcased the versatility of North Carolina dairy at the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown. The tenth season of the competition, held in Durham, North Carolina, brought together top chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and distilleries to compete for prestigious titles including Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Mixologist & Distillery of the Year, and Best Mocktail of the Year. The Dairy Alliance presented its Dairy Does More Awards to those who most creatively featured local dairy in their creations, underscoring the importance of dairy as a source of inspiration and innovation in the culinary world.

The winners of the 2026 Dairy Does More Awards were Chef Matt Hannon for Best Savory Dish, Pastry Chef Makala Beaver for Best Dessert, Mixologist Zach Benson for Best Cocktail, and Mixologist Ashley Sarkis for Best Mocktail. These accolades not only celebrate individual talent but also highlight how dairy can elevate flavors, textures, and presentations across a wide range of dishes and beverages. 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 that complemented the bold flavors of the lamb and seasonal ingredients, demonstrating dairy's ability to enhance savory profiles.

Pastry Chef Makala Beaver of King Neptune in Wrightsville Beach won Best Dessert for her Southern-inspired tiramisu featuring rum-soaked cornmeal ladyfinger, peach butter, and sorghum mascarpone. The mascarpone brought creamy richness to the dessert while helping Beaver put a distinctly Southern spin on a classic Italian favorite. Beaver's emotional acceptance speech made her win a memorable moment of the evening, further emphasizing the personal and professional significance of such recognition. 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 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. These wins illustrate how dairy can be a differentiating factor in competitive culinary settings, driving creativity and setting contestants apart.

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.

For those interested in exploring the full list of finalists and their competition dishes, desserts, and drinks, visit NCChefShowdown.com. To learn more about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com or follow @TheDairyAlliance on Facebook or Instagram. The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA), the driving force behind the state's $30 billion hospitality industry, organizes the event. For more information about NCRLA, visit www.ncrla.org.