by Kristen Wile

Chef Matt Deering, executive chef of Park Road cocktail spot Dot Dot Dot, won the title of Chef of the Year at the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s annual Chef Showdown on Monday night. At Dot Dot Dot, Deering has quietly served an impressive menu to pair with the cocktail bar’s renowned drinks, rooted in Southern ingredients but taking on global inspiration. His style of cooking is reflected in the dish that won him the competition: a polenta dumpling with confit pork belly, charred bok choy, chestnut mushroom, sweet corn espuma, and amari and sorghum jus.

15 savory chefs cooked for guests at the event in Durham, providing small bites to attendees to vote on a fan favorite. A panel of judges selected Deering to earn the title of Chef of the Year. Pastry chefs and mixologists also competed for top honors, with winners in the other categories coming from elsewhere in the state.

The competition kicked off this past March with preliminary rounds. In Charlotte, fourteen chefs took part in that first round. Deering competed against more than 80 other chefs during the various stages of competition. Chefs must use produce, proteins, and artisanal foods grown and curated in North Carolina in their dishes. More than 500 North Carolina farmers and artisans had products used in the creation of the competition’s drinks and dishes.

Local pastry chef Mary Jayne Wilson of Thoughtful Baking Co. was recognized in the Undeniably Dairy Awards for best use of dairy products in a dessert. Former Charlotte pastry chef Savanna Brodar was named Pastry Chef of the Year; now at Pinehurst, Brodar has worked as pastry chef at The Ballantyne Hotel.

Charlotte’s previous most recent Chef of the Year win took place in 2022, when Oscar Johnson of Jimmy Pearls earned the honor.