As Wilmington’s restaurant scene grows, look for unique and star-studded food experiences

Want to hang out virtually with Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself? Or spend a weekend at the beach cooking with chef Vivian Howard? Those who aren’t into celebrity chefs might opt for an intimate dining experience on a private island, with the help of local companies like Epic Excursions.

In recent years, hospitality researchers have been tracking the trend of food experiences. In addition to traditional restaurant visits, people also want immersive dining and a chance to learn from the best. More of those kinds of experiences have been popping up in the Wilmington area with the growth of the food-and-drink scene.

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Beacon Education, for example, has started what they're calling a secret supper club. The organization has become known for high-profile fundraisers with chefs like Robert Irvine and Ashley Christensen. Another is coming up in February with Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse, which includes a champagne breakfast that will be filmed for a segment of the Rachael Ray show.

Now the nonprofit that supports Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington and the upcoming Spark Academy is hoping that locals will also be interested in the chance to partake of unique, one-of-a-kind dining experiences. The latest is an exclusive raffle that includes a chance for an online get-together with Garten. Of the 100 $1,000 raffle tickets sold (which also include a membership to the Rare supper club), there will only be five winners, who can invite three of their friends for the event.

The winners will be announced on Jan. 20 at a gathering of raffle ticket holders featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres inspired by Garten’s recipes. Then, the winners and their guests will meet on a to-be-determined date in the spring for cocktails and small bites while enjoying the virtual reception with the Barefoot Contessa. All guests will then be seated for a three-course Ina-inspired dinner prepared by Christi Ferretti and the staff of Pine Valley Market.

Meanwhile, chef Vivian Howard, star and co-creator of the PBS shows “A Chef’s Life” and “Somewhere South," has also been experimenting with new ways to reach her audience. She launched Viv’s Fridge, an automated grab-and-go venue, earlier this year.

Now she’s hosting weekend getaways Bald Head Island. The schedule includes four days of cooking and events, and lessons with sommelier Inez Ribustello and photographer Baxter Miller. You can make biscuits in Howard's kitchen, join her for a sunset cocktail party, a walking tour, oyster roast and more. The price tag for the weekend is around $5,000, or more with accommodations. The February weekend is already sold out, but others are scheduled in March and April.

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Fortunately, you don’t have to spend that much for a unique meal. With many of Epic Excursions' Island Dining Experiences, pricing is based on the group size for events like the Island Steam Pot Excursion and the Catered Island Seafood Boil with Wrightsville Beach-based Epic Excursions. Or try the oyster farm tour and sampling with Middle Sound Mariculture for $150 per person.

Ian and Kristie Balding started the business five years with the idea of offering surfing and paddleboarding. Since then, it’s grown to include sunset charters and island hopping.

“But the food options have really become popular,” Ian Balding said.

The idea was born from something similar the couple experienced in the Bahamas, with spearfishing and a meal on the beach.

“I wanted to offer something like that in Wilmington,” he said.

It led them to partner with local companies like Cape Fear Boil Company and Topsail Steamer, and then with the We Are True Blue restaurant group for catered, sit-down dinners of fireside steaks or gourmet burgers on the grill.

“But the oysters are something that we’re really becoming known for,” he said. “I’m a huge oyster fan and do it recreationally myself. I love taking people to the oyster farm to meet James (Hargrove, of Middle Sound Mariculture)... I think with a wine tasting, it's something special."

So far, it’s a mix of tourists and locals who are enjoying the experiences. And Epic Excursions is often contacted by local businesses who want a unique way to reward employee, Kristie Balding said.

"We like to add excursions and keep things creative," she said. "I don’t know of anyone else doing things quite like this."

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Barefoot Contessa, Vivian Howard, others make for unique food experiences