First NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration
Celebrate NC’s oyster and seafood heritage at Seabird, Nov 4-5, with chef Dean Neff, Julie Qiu, and exclusive tastings. Reserve now!
Chef Dean Neff, a James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Chef” Finalist and advocate for North Carolina’s seafood industry, is launching the inaugural North Carolina Oyster & Seafood Celebration at his acclaimed Wilmington restaurant, Seabird. The two-day event will take place November 4-5, 2025, coinciding with the official start of wild oyster season and highlighting the region’s renowned coastal foodways, fishermen, and sustainable seafood practices.
Event Details and Special Guests
This multi-event celebration features special guest Julie Qiu, Oyster Sommelier and Co-founder of the Oyster Master Guild, who will lead educational experiences for both industry professionals and diners interested in North Carolina’s unique oyster culture. The festival brings together oyster farmers, hospitality professionals, and seafood lovers for an immersive exploration of the state’s thriving seafood scene. North Carolina, recognized as the “Napa Valley for Oysters,” will showcase its world-class bivalves throughout the event.
Schedule of Events
• Tuesday, November 4:
Farmed Oyster Dinner with Oyster Master Guild – The evening begins with an oyster appreciation introduction by Julie Qiu, presentations from local oyster farmers, a curated oyster tasting, and a multi-course seafood dinner. Reservations available via OpenTable.
• Wednesday, November 5:
Oyster Class (Noon-2:30 PM) – Julie Qiu leads an advanced educational session for oyster farmers, hospitality professionals, and enthusiasts, focusing on oyster service and appreciation.
Wild Oyster Chef’s Table Experience (5:00-7:15 PM) – An exclusive 8-seat Chef’s Table dinner at Seabird, featuring a wild oyster tasting menu and direct interaction with Chef Dean Neff, Julie Qiu, and coastal forager Ana Shellem. Reservations required via OpenTable.
About Chef Dean Neff
Dean Neff is the chef and owner of Seabird, a sustainable seafood restaurant and oyster bar in Wilmington, and the new owner of Zora’s Market & Kitchen, the city’s oldest seafood market. Neff is a James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Chef” Finalist and “Best Chef Southeast” nominee. Seabird is acclaimed for its daily-changing menu featuring local fishers, farmers, and foragers, and for its exclusive “Seabirdie” oysters farmed by Holdfast Oyster Co. The restaurant has earned praise from Eater, Reader’s Digest, Hemispheres, The Local Palate, Garden & Gun, the Wall Street Journal, and BuzzFeed for its focus on sustainable seafood and local ingredients.
Neff is a dedicated supporter of North Carolina’s sustainable fishing, aquaculture, and farming practices, and is an advocate for the North Carolina Oyster Trail. He also serves on the regional council for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and the North Carolina Fish Consumption Advisory at Duke University.
About Julie Qiu
Julie Qiu is a globally recognized Oyster Sommelier, educator, and the founder of In A Half Shell—the world’s premier oyster appreciation blog. As co-founder of the Oyster Master Guild, Julie is dedicated to elevating oyster education and service standards across the food and hospitality industry. With over 15 years of international experience and features in publications such as Vogue, Food & Wine, and The New York Times, she brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Splitting her time between New York City and Madrid, Julie is often on the road, discovering the finest oyster destinations and producers.
Follow her adventures on Instagram: @inahalfshellist and @oystermasterguild.
Reservations
Reserve your spot for these exclusive events on OpenTable—space is limited as we celebrate North Carolina’s outstanding seafood heritage.
Seabird is located at 1 South Front Street, in the heart of downtown Wilmington near the Riverwalk. Reservations are available on OpenTable from Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
For more information, visit Seabird and follow @SeabirdNC, or call (910) 769-5996.
Request a copy today!
