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6:00 PM RECEPTION | 7:00 PM DINNER
ZOES STEAK + SEAFOOD
713 19TH STREET, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
This one-night-only culinary experience, aligned with the James Beard Foundation, will bring together some of the region’s most celebrated chefs for an extraordinary evening showcasing the depth, talent, and story of Coastal Virginia cuisine.
Hosted by noted food journalist, food historian, and chef Patrick Evans-Hylton, who has covered Virginia eats and drinks for three-plus decades, the evening will feature a curated, multi-course menu highlighting the region’s rich culinary heritage prepared by an all-star lineup of chefs from across Coastal Virginia.
Join us on September 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Zoe’s Steak + Seafood in Virginia Beach for an unforgettable evening celebrating culinary excellence.
Tickets will go on sale in August.
Keep an eye on our socials for updates and pricing.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS WILL BE SOLD
There are names that shape a nation’s palate, and then there is James Beard. Born in 1903, Beard helped define American cuisine by championing regional ingredients, seasonal cooking, and a deep respect for place long before it became the norm. Through his writing, teaching, and early television work, he gave legitimacy and voice to a distinctly American culinary identity.
That legacy endures through the James Beard Foundation, one of the most respected institutions in the food world. Known for its prestigious awards and advocacy, the Foundation supports chefs and food professionals through scholarships, education, and initiatives focused on sustainability and equity.
Beard at the Beach is part of the Friends of James Beard Benefit® series, a nationwide collection of events hosted by chefs, restaurants, and organizations that raise critical funding for the James Beard Foundation and its mission to champion a better food system. Hosting an officially sanctioned James Beard Foundation fundraising dinner places Coastal Virginia and its culinary community on a national stage, showcasing local talent while supporting programs that nurture the next generation of culinary leaders. Together, these efforts elevate the region’s reputation as a vibrant dining destination and help build a stronger future for food.
Coastal Virginia cuisine is a living table, set by tide and time, where the briny breath of the Chesapeake meets the warmth of Southern hearth. It is blue crab sweet and delicate, oysters kissed by fire or served raw as the sea intended, and rockfish simply dressed and reverently prepared.
Rooted in more than four centuries, its foodways draw from Indigenous knowledge, English colonial cookery, and African American ingenuity—pit-roasting, stewing, pickling, and frying. It is a cuisine of season and salinity, of abundance shaped by restraint.
An event of this caliber does more than fill seats for a single evening. It draws culinary travelers, media attention, and high-value visitors who dine out, book rooms, and explore the local food scene, creating a measurable lift in tourism dollars.
Restaurants see increased traffic not only during the event, but in the weeks that follow, as the spotlight lingers. In turn, the city benefits from heightened visibility, stronger brand identity as a dining destination, and a lasting boost to its hospitality economy.
It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate culinary talent while supporting a national mission, and you are invited to participate. Honest, elemental, enduring. Each bite tells a story, and the story lingers.
Your ticket includes a curated multi-course dining experience prepared by featured chefs. Beverage pairings are also included. Additional beverages may be available for purchase unless otherwise noted.
Beard at the Beach is designed as a thoughtfully curated dining experience. Service style (seated or tasting format) will be confirmed prior to the event and communicated to all guests.
Resort chic or coastal cocktail attire is recommended. We encourage guests to dress for an elevated evening by the beach.
Yes, this is a 21+ event. Valid ID may be required upon entry.
Due to the nature of a curated chef-driven menu, accommodations may be limited. Guests will have the opportunity to note allergies at the time of ticket purchase, and we will do our best to communicate with participating chefs; however, substitutions are not guaranteed.
To preserve the element of surprise and creativity, the full menu may not be released in advance. Select highlights may be shared leading up to the event.
The event will take place at Zoes Steak + Seafood located at 713 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA.
Yes, Valet parking only. We encourage guests to consider rideshare or carpooling for convenience.
Guests are encouraged to arrive at the event start time to allow for check-in and enjoy welcome reception.
Seating arrangements will be communicated prior to the event. If you would like to be seated with another guest or party, please indicate this during ticket purchase or contact us in advance.
All ticket sales are final. If you are unable to attend, tickets may be transferable to another guest with advance notice.
Beard at the Beach is presented by the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association and Virginia Eats + Drinks in collaboration with leading culinary partners and local chefs.
Yes, this event may be photographed and filmed for promotional purposes. By attending, guests consent to the use of their image.
