The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, recently honored culinary talents at the 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown, held in Durham, North Carolina. The tenth season of the competition brought together top chefs, pastry chefs, mixologists, and distilleries to compete for 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 also presented its Dairy Does More Awards to chefs and mixologists who most creatively featured local dairy in their creations.
The 2026 Dairy Does More Award winners 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 winners demonstrated the versatility of North Carolina dairy by incorporating it into dishes and beverages in innovative ways. 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.
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 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.
This news matters because it underscores the evolving role of dairy in culinary innovation, offering opportunities for food and beverage businesses to differentiate their offerings. For industry leaders, it signals that dairy can be a strategic ingredient in product development, potentially driving consumer interest and sales. The event also showcases the economic impact of the hospitality industry in North Carolina, a sector valued at $30 billion. The Dairy Alliance's efforts to promote dairy foods and knowledge about the dairy industry across eight Southeastern states—Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia—are crucial for supporting dairy farm families and fostering industry growth.
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. For more information about NCRLA, visit www.ncrla.org.
