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Kristen Lamonc

@kristenlamonc

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city / sea
founder @hightidecltv
editor-in-chief @hellowilmington @hellocarolinas

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Feast Down East’s third annual Oyster Roast celebrates the people, traditions, and local flavors shaping Southeastern North Carolina’s food culture.

Returning to the organization’s Food Hub inside Burgaw’s historic train depot, the gathering features locally harvested oysters from RNR Shellfish Farms, regional fare catered by Aramark UNCW Dining, a cooking demonstration by Austen Schindler, Executive Chef at Covey, live music from The Noseeums, and a silent auction featuring contributions from local businesses.

Beyond the evening’s festivities is a mission rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage. Founded in 2006 and now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Feast Down East has spent two decades strengthening the regional food system, supporting local farmers, and expanding access to fresh, nutritious food throughout Eastern North Carolina.

Through initiatives including its Food Hub, Local Motive Mobile Farmers’ Market, Farmers Fighting Hunger, and Fresh Bucks SNAP matching program, the nonprofit connects regional growers with new opportunities while helping bring healthy food to communities with limited access.

In 2025 alone, Feast Down East generated more than $2 million in community impact, supported 56 local farmers through its Food Hub, and hosted 445 mobile markets throughout the region.

Proceeds from the Oyster Roast support this ongoing work, helping sustain local farms, strengthen the regional food economy, and expand access to healthy, locally grown food.

Feast Down East’s 3rd Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser

December 6 · 4–7 PM

FDE’s Food Hub · Historic Train Depot · Burgaw, NC

Tickets available via the link in our bio.

@feastdowneast by @kristenlamonc

Lately, life has been moving between city and sea. More projects, more movement, more momentum. The rhythm is changing, and I’m intrigued by where it’s going. by @kristenlamonc

Some of Wilmington’s most meaningful traditions begin with a simple act of compassion.

For more than twenty years, the Wilmington Fur Ball has brought together animal advocates, local businesses, volunteers, and residents around a shared mission: supporting the organizations that provide care, shelter, medical treatment, and second chances for animals throughout New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties.

Founded in 2005 by a small group of dedicated volunteers, what began with a simple belief — “we can’t bring them all home” — has grown into one of the region’s most enduring charitable events. Over the years, the Fur Ball has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local rescue organizations, extending its impact far beyond a single evening.

Each fall, that mission takes the form of an elegant charitable gala, bringing the community together for an evening of dining, entertainment, philanthropy, and celebration.

This year’s Masquerade & Costume Ball returns to The Terraces on Sir Tyler, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, chef stations, an open bar, live entertainment, dancing, and silent and live auctions, all benefiting local animal welfare efforts.

Whether through attending the gala, becoming a sponsor, bidding in an auction, or making a donation, each contribution helps continue a legacy of compassion that has shaped the Wilmington community for more than two decades.

2026 Wilmington Fur Ball
October 17 · 6:30–10:30 PM
The Terraces on Sir Tyler · Wilmington, NC

Tickets available via the link in our bio.

@wilmington_furball by @kristenlamonc

COMING SOON | Drift Coffee & Kitchen opens its newest Dix Park location at The Weld in Raleigh this Saturday, August 15th.

Founded in Ocean Isle Beach, Drift has grown throughout Wilmington and the Triangle, pairing specialty coffee with breakfast, lunch and wellness-focused offerings in design-forward spaces shaped by a surf-inspired coastal aesthetic.

Opening weekend includes a Coffee to Coffee Greenway Celebration in partnership with Oaks & Spokes, featuring community bike rides connecting Drift’s Ridgewood and Dix Park locations via Raleigh’s greenway system. Drift will also donate 100% of Saturday’s sales to Oaks & Spokes, supporting the Raleigh nonprofit’s work around bicycling, walking, and community connectivity.

DRIFT Coffee & Kitchen
Grand Opening · August 15th · 8AM-2PM
Retail level of Ray at The Weld
1000 Hammell Drive · Raleigh, NC

@driftcoffee.kitchen by @kristenlamonc

YachtVenture brings together Wilmington’s waterfront culture, coastal hospitality, and community in support of The Children’s Museum of Wilmington.

Now in its 16th year, the annual fundraiser has become a signature fall gathering shaped by the waterways that define the region, bringing guests, local yacht owners, businesses, sponsors, and supporters together at Bradley Creek Yacht Club.

The evening features exclusive yacht tours, craft cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, raffles, and curated silent auction offerings, all set against Wilmington’s connection to the water.

At the heart of YachtVenture is a larger purpose.

Proceeds benefit The Children’s Museum of Wilmington and its year-round mission to create opportunities for children to learn, explore, and grow through play.

The Museum’s work includes hands-on exhibits, educational programs, field trips, camps, and community outreach, extending the impact well beyond the evening itself.

YachtVenture 2026
October 24 · 6–9:30 PM
Bradley Creek Yacht Club • Wilmington, NC

Tickets available via the link in our bio.

@yachtventure
@childrensmuseumwilmington by @kristenlamonc

Wilmington Coffee Fest brings together the people, places, and makers behind the city’s growing coffee culture.

What began as a coffee crawl organized by Will Chacon of Luna Caffe has evolved into a street fair rooted in the local community, connecting coffee lovers with roasters, cafés, bakers, artisans, and the people behind their favorite brews.

Now led by Amy Heggen of Blue Cup Roastery and based in The Cargo District, the festival continues to center local craft while creating a gathering place around one of Wilmington’s most enduring daily rituals: coffee.

Wilmington Coffee Fest takes a thoughtful approach to waste, using reusable espresso mugs and canvas totes while composting coffee grounds throughout the day.

The weekend begins Friday, September 18 with the 5th annual Latte Art Throwdown at Azalea Station, where local baristas compete for the title of best latte art champion. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 19 brings the Wilmington Coffee Fest street fair to South 15th Street, with coffee tastings, local roasters, bakeries, artisans, tea, and community voting for favorite brews.

A portion of every ticket sold supports two local nonprofits selected each year. For 2026, Wilmington Coffee Fest will benefit NourishNC and Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab.

Wilmington Coffee Fest Street Fair
September 19 · 9 AM–3 PM
S 15th St · Wilmington, NC

Tickets available via the link in our bio.

@wilmingtoncoffeefest by @kristenlamonc

The Sounder is a love letter to the coast — the kind of restaurant equally suited for weekend brunches and long dinners by the water.

Recently opened on Oleander Drive, the restaurant brings a refreshed coastal feel to one of Wilmington’s longtime restaurant spaces, transforming it with whitewashed brick, airy interiors, softened tones, and a lighter, more refined atmosphere.

Created by Grant and Caroline Steadman alongside Executive Chef Jason Burrows, the concept was designed as an approachable neighborhood gathering place centered around community, conversation, and familiar dishes elevated with thoughtful ingredients, techniques, and global culinary influences.

Current offerings include dinner service beginning at 4pm Tuesday–Sunday, weekend brunch from 10am–2pm Saturday and Sunday, Tuesday burger nights featuring $6 classic burgers from 4pm-close, and Wednesday specials featuring $1 oysters, $10 martinis, and $5 Prosecco on tap from 4pm-close.

The Sounder is part of Big Ocean Hospitality Group, the team behind local favorites like Flying Machine Brewing Company, Flying Machine Oyster Bar, and Salt Street Oyster Company.

The restaurant’s name comes from both family history and coastal Carolina culture. Decades ago, Caroline Steadman’s mother was named a “Sounder” by friends and family because she frequently flocked from rural inland North Carolina to the coast. The name also serves as a nod to the sounds of Coastal Carolina and the early working-class communities rooted around them — fishermen, farmers, and laborers whose lives revolved around the water and helped shape the region’s culture today.

What’s your favorite menu item at The Sounder? by @kristenlamonc

Recently opened in Wilmington, Fortuna Cucina Italiana is the newest concept from hospitality founder Giorgio Bakatsias and Giorgios Hospitality Group — the team behind several well-known North Carolina restaurants, including Wilmington favorites like G Prime Steak & Cellar, Kipos Hellenic Cuisine, and Tomiko-San.

Fortuna blends contemporary Italian cuisine with an atmosphere inspired by the Amalfi Coast. Behind the weathered cedar shake exterior, the space layers coastal textures, vintage Italian poster art, collected mirrors and portrait photography, a hand-painted lemon branch mural by local artist Arianne Hemlein, and a patio with woven rattan pendant lighting centered around a fire pit designed for long evenings by the sea.

Led by Executive Chef and Partner Chris Lewnes, the menu draws from Italian tradition, local seafood sourcing, and housemade pastas through dishes like Red Snapper Carpaccio, Burrata di Puglia, Bucatini Fra Diavolo, Linguine alle Vongole, and Flounder Francese, alongside desserts by Pastry Chef Madelyn Frank including Tiramisu, Olive Oil Cake, Bombolini, and Mousse a la Limone.

A thoughtful addition to Wilmington’s evolving dining landscape.

Wilmington, what’s the first dish you’d order? by @kristenlamonc

A lot of what I’ve been building lately has come from a barrier island at the edge of the map. Salt air, tides, and a little distance from everything. The quiet shifted the pace, sharpened the perspective, and made room for what comes next. by @kristenlamonc