09/03/2026
So proud to announce Muddy River Distillery | Craft Rum won 2026 DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR at NC Restaurant & Lodging Assoc. NCRLA Chef Showdown | NC’s #1 Culinary & Mixology Competition last night with our super talented Mixologist partner Ashley Sarkis of YUNTA in Charlotte, who won 3 Mixology awards! 🙌🏼
Ashley did a phenomenal job of mixing unique tinctures, syrups, and garnishes with our products in each round to create fabulous cocktails! 🥃🍹🍸
This night is so special to meet and work with all the chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologist coming together from across the state promoting Got to Be NC , , and all the wonderful and tasty NC food and beverages we have.
Every bite and drink was delicious and the whole crowd was stuffed! Huge thank you to Ashley for working with us, for running all the preliminary rounds across the state and last night's Showdown, for hosting this massive event!, NCRLA and Got To Be NC, all the chefs, sous chefs, mixologist, barbacks(thanks Sam & David!), the 100+ NC farmers and suppliers, and all the other sponsors for making this event happen. It really reinforces why we do what we do and makes me proud to see everyone come together. Thank you all!! ❤️🙏🏼🙌🏼