Tickets are on sale for Out to Sea NC Fest 2026, a multiday event honoring the sustainable coastal foodways and fishers defining the North Carolina coast.
This year’s event is set for Sunday, Nov. 8 – Tuesday, Nov. 10, at James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Chef” finalist Dean Neff’s acclaimed restaurant Seabird and community venues in Wilmington.
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Out to Sea NC 2026 will feature award-winning chefs as well as oyster farmers, fishers, and foragers who will share stories, industry education, and offer immersive dining experiences. Film screenings, panel discussions, and the exploration of relevant topics including the African American impact on North Carolina seafood will also be included in this year’s event.
Chefs showcased this year include Nicole Cabrera Mills of Pêche in New Orleans, Ricky Moore of Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham, Vivian Howard and Charlotte Coman of Theodosia in Outer Banks and Chef and The Farmer in Kinston, Adé Carenna of iLéWA Foods, Carson Jewell of Manna, Keith Rhodes of Voyce in Wilmington and Leticia Torres-Rojas of Seabird in Wilmington.
This year’s lineup of fishers include Ryan Speckman and Lin Peterson of Locals Seafood of Raleigh, Ana Shellem of Shellem Seafood of Wrightsville Beach, Conor MacNair of N. Sea Oyster Co. of Hampstead, Lianne Won-Reburn of Marshallberg Caviar of Smyrna in Carteret County and near Lenoir, Joe Romano of Seaview Crab Co. of Wilmington, and John Mallette of Southern Breeze Seafood of Sneads Ferry.
“This coast has fed our community for generations, and every year we learn there’s more of the story to tell,” Neff stated in a release. “Growing to three days lets us really dig in — not just celebrate seafood, but sit at the table with the farmers, fishers, and cooks who are shaping North Carolina coastal foodways. Bringing chefs like Ricky, and Ade into Keith’s and my backyard, and honoring the African American foodways that built this coast, is exactly the kind of connected community we set out to build when we started this in 2025.”
The full itinerary of events, times and locations, as well as tickets are available at Seabird. You may also follow @Out.to.Sea.NC, @ChefDeanNeff and @SeabirdNC for details.
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Cape Fear River Watch and Oyster South are beneficiaries of select events this year.
