Here in Wilmington, North Carolina, we’ve got it all: beaches, the river, a great (and growing) brewery scene, and some of the best chefs around. I know what you’re thinking, “Jason, you live here, of course you love it;” that’s true, but I’m also a travel and food writer and I’m fortunate to eat in spectacular restaurants the world over, so I know good food. And we’ve got plenty. With all the fresh seafood, the farmers growing to order for restaurants, and diners hungry for next-level cuisine, Chefs in Wilmington and the nearby beach towns have to deliver culinary greatness on every plate every night. They do, and they’ve racked up the awards, accolades, writeups, and kudos to prove it. Read on for some of the award-winning chefs in and near Wilmington, then pick a few to visit next time you’re in town.
Keith Rhodes, Catch
Talk to Chef Keith Rhodes and you’ll see he’s not one to take the spotlight, he’d rather do his talking one dish at a time. Which made his nomination for the James Beard Award Best Chef Southeast – essentially The Oscars of food – that much sweeter. Recognized by his peers, by food journalists and restaurant critics, and by the public for his culinary excellence, his was the first nomination for a Chef from Wilmington and it drove him to work harder on that next menu. Chef Rhodes cooks cuisine celebrating Low Country culture, Gullah flavors, and Southern food, but through a global lens. This creative blend drove him to an appearance on Top Chef and has made Catch a popular spot for visiting celebrities and dignitaries, well, dishes like his NC Lump Crabcake, a spicy lobster tail, and flavors that bridge the gap between the southeast and southeast Asia don’t hurt either.
Dean Neff
In 2019 Chef Dean Neff became Wilmington’s second chef to earn a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef: Southeast. At the time he was in the kitchen at PinPoint and developing dishes that were bold, flavorful, and beautiful. He’s stepped away from PinPoint to develop a new project, one he’s keeping under wraps to all but a select few, but trust us, when it opens, you’ll need to be there.
Ones to Watch
Oh, we have more chefs and restaurants for you. These are places on the rise and chefs who are coming into their own in big ways.
When Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives stopped by, several Wilmington eateries made it on the air. Favorites like Fork N Cork and Copper Penny dished up duck wings and a hot roast pork sandwich to Fieri’s delight, while Ceviche’s served a pair of Panamanian dishes. At Cast Iron Kitchen, Chef Josh Petty served Fieri a Dirty South Biscuit – fried chicken, runny egg, sausage gravy – and Not My Momma’s Meatloaf – a meatloaf sandwich that’s anything but mundane. Keep an eye on Chef Petty and the kitchen crews at each of these restaurants because you’ll hear more about them in the future.
But the future’s quite bright for Sam Cahoon, Chef and Owner of Savorez, in Downtown Wilmington. This Latin-meets-North-Carolina restaurant does one thing good: everything. Order the tacos because whether you get the Caliente Tuna, the Crispy Flounder, the Pork Belly or a vegetarian-friendly version, you’ll wish you had room for two more. While you’re at it, the Latin twist on shrimp and grits is a delight, the Vegeta Comida – a platter packed with perfectly prepared veggie dishes – might convince you to go vegetarian, and the sweet potato guacamole will have your taste buds spinning.
So, next time you’re in Wilmington, give one of these chefs a try and discover just why the foodies here are so excited about their next meal out.
Click here for a complete list of restaurants in Wilmington and its island beaches.
