The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association will host the second annual NC Chef Showdown, bringing 16 chefs head to head in cooking competition.

The chefs, all based in North Carolina, were selected following a rigorous application and selection process from among 40 chefs who applied. View their names here.

“This year’s selection brings together some of the most innovative chefs in our state,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges, who was among Cary Magazine’s 2013 Women of Western Wake honorees.

Lynn Minges

“At the showdown, these chefs will use North Carolina ingredients to demonstrate their creativity and will showcase the quality of the hospitality industry in North Carolina. Event attendees and judges will get a taste of how the state’s food scene has advanced.”

The chefs, divided into the food categories of savory and sweet, are vying for the 2017 NCRLA Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year awards. Chefs will prepare and serve tasting-sized portions to event attendees.

The dishes, judged by six culinary experts, will be scored on presentation, taste and use of local ingredients from North Carolina. Additional awards include Best Use of a North Carolina Product and Most Creative Presentation. The People’s Choice awards are determined by showdown attendees.

“New this year, NCRLA will crown a 2017 Mixologist of the Year, as six North Carolina distilleries will be featured with hand-picked bartenders crafting cocktails for guests and judges to enjoy,” said Minges.

Distillery/mixologist teams will be announced in the coming weeks.

The showdown is Monday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., at City Market in downtown Raleigh. Tickets are $125 and include unlimited tasting-sized portions from all 16 chefs, tasting-sized cocktails from six North Carolina distilleries, a chance to vote in the evening’s People’s Choice awards, a selection of wine or beer, a gift bag and an evening of live music.

For more info or to purchase tickets, visit ncchefshowdown.com.