The Dairy Alliance Celebrates Culinary Innovation at the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown

GTTP

The Dairy Alliance awarded four culinary professionals for their innovative use of local dairy.
Winners included experts in savory, pastry, cocktail, and mocktail categories for the 2026 season.
The event showcased the versatility of dairy in elevating both traditional dishes and modern beverages.
The collaboration supports regional dairy farmers while promoting high-quality ingredients to the hospitality industry.

Impact - Why it Matters

This partnership highlights the essential role of local dairy in professional gastronomy, bridging the gap between regional farmers and the hospitality sector. By rewarding creative applications of dairy, The Dairy Alliance drives industry innovation, promotes sustainable sourcing, and elevates the profile of North Carolina’s agricultural and culinary excellence.

Summary

The Dairy Alliance recently honored North Carolina’s top culinary talent at the tenth annual NCRLA Chef Showdown in Durham. This prestigious competition brought together the state’s finest chefs, pastry artists, and mixologists to showcase their technical prowess. As a key partner, The Dairy Alliance presented the Dairy Does More awards to professionals who demonstrated exceptional creativity by incorporating local dairy products into their signature dishes and beverages.

The winners included Chef Matt Hannon of Ashten's for his savory lamb barbacoa and Chef Makala Beaver of King Neptune for her Southern-inspired tiramisu. Mixologist Zach Benson of Outer Banks Distilling and Ashley Sarkis of Yunta Nikkei also secured top honors, proving that high-quality cream and dairy can elevate both alcoholic cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails to new heights. These champions highlighted the remarkable versatility and rich flavor profiles that North Carolina dairy brings to modern gastronomy.

Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, emphasized that these accolades serve to inspire culinary professionals to experiment with local ingredients. By highlighting how dairy enhances texture and depth across diverse menus, the organization continues to champion the quality of Southeast dairy farms. This collaboration fosters a vibrant culinary scene while strengthening the connection between local producers and the thriving hospitality industry.

The Dairy Alliance Celebrates Culinary Innovation at the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown

GTTP

The Dairy Alliance awarded four culinary professionals for their innovative use of local dairy.
Winners included experts in savory, pastry, cocktail, and mocktail categories for the 2026 season.
The event showcased the versatility of dairy in elevating both traditional dishes and modern beverages.
The collaboration supports regional dairy farmers while promoting high-quality ingredients to the hospitality industry.