OUR TEAM
Photo by Mallory Cash
Dean Neff & Lydia Clopton
A James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Chef” Finalist and “Best Chef Southeast” nominee, Neff opened Seabird in 2021 with wife Lydia Clopton.
Eater named it “Essential” and “Beach Restaurant of the Year.” NCRLA honored Neff with the Ken Conrad Award for Community Service. Reader’s Digest, Hemispheres, The Local Palate, and Garden & Gun praise it as a must-visit in Wilmington. The Wall Street Journal and BuzzFeed’s “Worth It” celebrated its locally focused seafood tower, commitment to sustainable seafood, and shared Neff’s recipes.
Neff advocates for North Carolina’s Oyster Trail, is a chef ambassador for NC Catch, serves on the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC’s regional council, and is on the North Carolina Fish Consumption Advisory at Duke University.
We are grateful to have such a strong team!
James Jones - Chef de Cuisine
Colby Perkins - Wine Director
Chason Huggins - Bar Manager
Sarah Dodson - Day Manager/Creative Endeavors