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Dean Neff

@chefdeanneff

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Owner @seabirdnc and @zorasmarketandkitchen Wilmington, NC-JBF finalist “Outstanding Chef” 2024

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🐟 Just a Few Pounds of Snowy Grouper Left! 🐟
If you’ve been waiting to grab some fresh Snowy Grouper, now’s the time! We only have a few pounds remaining, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
This mild, sweet, flaky fish is one of our favorites and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen:
🔥 Grilled with olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs
🧈 Pan-seared with garlic butter and a squeeze of citrus
🌮 Fish tacos topped with fresh slaw and avocado crema
🍅 Baked with tomatoes, capers, and white wine
🌶️ Blackened and served with rice and seasonal veggies
Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a backyard cookout, or a fresh seafood feast for one, Snowy Grouper is hard to beat.
📍 Stop by Zora’s and get yours while you can!
#SnowyGrouper #FreshSeafood #Zoras #FreshCatch #SeafoodDinner GulfSeafood EatLocal FishFriday SeafoodLovers FreshFromTheSea 🐟✨🍋 by @chefdeanneff

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a month ago

It’s no surprise @thelocalpalate included @seabirdnc & @zorasmarketandkitchen’s @chefdeanneff in their Summer issue, sharing “dead-simple suggestions for making seafood at home, as well as what to ask and look for when shopping for fish and shellfish.” 🦐 🦀 🐠

Make it “Shore to Table” — & discover Neff’s go-to recipe for enjoying yellowfin & bluefin tuna at home this season 🌊

#tlp #chrfdeanneff #seabirdnc #ncseafood #yellowfintuna taken in Seabird Restaurant by @chefdeanneff

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2 months ago

On night 3 a dietary restriction came into the kitchen, @chefrickymoore said “We’ll take care of her, because that’s what we do, we take care of people.” At its best, the hospitality industry takes care of people. Supporting and sustaining entire communities so that all may flourish.

I feel so lucky to be a part of what @susannehackney and @carolinachef have created with The Passion dinner series. In many ways, they are the reason my business has flourished from the beginning, connecting me so many different chefs across the Carolina’s 🤍

@chefrickymoore, @chefdeanneff, and @daniel.n.murray knocked this one out of the park 🥵 taken in Washington, North Carolina by @chefdeanneff

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2 months ago

Does it get any better than a locally harvested oyster freshly shucked at one of the best restaurants downtown? Get them $1 each at Monday’s happy hour in the bar 5-6pm (get there before the doors open). These were Seabirdies of the New River from @holdfastoysterco accompanied by house hot sauce, mignonette, lemon, cocktail sauce horseradish, and fried seasoned saltines🍋🦪 🌶️
Be sure to try the bolo tie cocktail: Henry McKenna bourbon, aperol, ginger honey, hellfire bitters, lemon, and mint🍹
Follow me @foodgoodinc for more weeknight wonders✨ taken in Downtown Wilmington by @chefdeanneff

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3 months ago

the Hackney Passion 26 is here🍾!!
For details follow the link to The Hackney Passion website on our bio. by @chefdeanneff

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3 months ago

We’re excited to welcome our pal (and 3 times James Beard nominee!!) Dean Neff from @seabirdnc this Monday for a special Burger with Buddies, 🐠🐠 edition! They’re bringing their Bluefin Tuna burger served with nuoc cham mayo, sweet pickles and tomato jam— a perfect bite as we welcome in Spring 🌸🌸 taken in Gertrude's by @chefdeanneff

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4 months ago

We stole her from Seabird’s Kitchen! Well they lent her to us…☺️

Maddie is a true born-and-raised local who practically grew up with saltwater in her veins. From a young age, she spent her days string crabbing, fishing, and boating; quickly falling in love with the waterways and everything they have to offer.

Fun fact: by the time she was 10, Maddie could bait a crab pot blindfolded during a thunderstorm while balancing on the edge of a skiff—and still out-crab everyone on the dock.

Those early experiences shaped her deep appreciation for both the beauty and importance of the local coastal ecosystem. Today, she’s bringing that same passion full circle as she heads up Zora’s Kitchen.

In her role, Maddie is proud to celebrate and share the bounty of the waters that raised her, while also advocating for their protection and helping others understand their value. She’s passionate about creating experiences that connect people to the food, the environment, and the community behind it - all while honoring the place she’s always called home. by @chefdeanneff

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4 months ago

I want everyone to know how thankful and privileged I feel to work in this community with all of the talented and passionate people on our team all while having the unimaginable honor of being a semifinalist this year for outstanding chef.

This all would not be possible without my family, team, and community. It’s been an amazing 5 years and I am so excited about all of the things we have planned for the future.

While we are not heading to the finals this year, we are sending well deserved congratulations to all of the JBF finalists of 2026!

Chicago, we hope to see you soon!

Thank you!
❤️ by @chefdeanneff

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4 months ago

@heidibillotto here just back from a wonderful three day weekend in Wilmington NC all built around the annual Feast Wilmington festival!

I can wait to write all about it, but I couldn’t wait another moment without sharing more about this hidden gem…
🐟🐠🐡
Zora’s Seafood Market, @zorasmarketandkitchen located at 1411 Castle Street in Wilmington, NC , owned and operated by my good friend Chef Dean Neff and his wife Lydia and their team - the same talented folks who brought you Seabird Restaurant, also in Wilmington, NC! @wilmingtoncoast

Both places are must Eat Here Now finds when you go to the Carolina Coast.

I’m sharing all the delicious details in a blog post at HeidiBillottoFood.com in the next couple of days…

For now, I’ll say, when you go to North Carolina’s New Hanover County to Visit Wilmington, plan time to eat and shop local and sustainably at Zora’s… its an amazing little place doing really big things!!!

And, as the video suggests, don’t miss the scrumptous BBQ swordfish sammie, the crispy sweet and tender NC Black Bass, the smoked seafood dip with Fried Saltines ( IYKYK!) 🩷Zora’s Seafood Steamer and the not-to-be-missed homemade soft serve ( you can get chocolate, vanilla or swirl) … Go Eat There Now!!
#TellThemHeidiSentYou taken in North Carolina by @chefdeanneff

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

Toasted vanilla soft-serve is here 🍦$5/serving.

Dreamed up by Seabird and now spinning happily at Zora’s, this one is a little bit fancy, a little bit nostalgic, and a lot delicious. Think toasted vanilla soft-serve with that warm, caramel-y vanilla flavor that somehow tastes like summer and dessert at the same time.

You can keep it classic, or go for the full swirl — a beautiful spiral of toasted vanilla and our extremely delicious chocolate soft-serve, because life is better when chocolate gets involved.

And for a proper finishing touch, while supplies last we’re making it a bit British: every cone can come topped with a chocolate Flake. Yes, the crumbly, chocolatey kind that makes everything feel like seaside holiday ice cream.

The Flake is on us!
Come grab one before they melt… or before we run out of Flakes. 🍦 taken in Zora's by @chefdeanneff

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4 months ago

We’re gearing up to host one of the best chefs in the country here in two weeks. @chefdeanneff is traversing the coast to prepare our Wild Game Supper for Feather & Form, and there are still tickets left.

Dean built his reputation on sustainable, locally-sourced seafood and deep respect for North Carolina’s Coast and has been recognized as a finalist for Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation; he’s semifinalist again this year for the third consecutive year. He owns/operates @seabirdnc @zorasmarketandkitchen and we feel lucky he’s able to scoot up here and cook with us before the height of the season.

Speaking of busy season coming, we added a locals pass, too, so even if you don’t need accommodations, you can still join us for the programming all weekend long.

For more information or to reserve your spot to Feather and Form, find this post at the link in our bio. by @chefdeanneff

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5 months ago