by TM Petaccia and Kristen Wile

Charlotte will have several chef contenders vying to be named the state’s best in the annual Chef Showdown, hosted each year by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Three Charlotteans will compete for Chef of the Year: chefs Micheal Beers of River Run Country Club, Andres Prüssing of Stoke/Marriott City Center, and Myles Scaglione of Dot Dot Dot. Mary Jayne Wilson, owner of Thoughtful Baking Co., will represent the city in the Pastry Chef of the Year competition. In the mixology competition, Dram & Draught’s Shrijan Tallury advanced, paired with Matthews’ Oaklore Distilling.

The winners will be decided at the NCRLA Chef Showdown on Aug. 26 in Durham. Chefs and mixologists will be on hand to serve up their creations to attendees, and fan-favorite winners will be announced, as well as judges’ choices for Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Mixologist of the Year. Charlotte did not bring home a win in the major categories last year.

Chefs have been competing since this spring to make it to the final round. In Charlotte, fourteen chefs competed in the preliminary rounds — and a total of 83 savory chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists state-wide. This year is the eighth for the event. Chefs must use produce, proteins, and artisanal foods grown and curated in North Carolina in their dishes. A total of fifteen savory and five pastry chefs will cook at the grand finale.

“I love that it gives me a creative outlet for a plated dessert,” Thoughtful Baking Co. chef and owner Mary Jayne Wilson shared with us ahead of the preliminary rounds. “This gives me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and go in a completely different pastry direction. I am excited to get to present something very different from what I do every week for my business.”

Tickets for the event cost $150 and are on sale now.