Kill Devil Hills Celebrates Culinary Triumph with Soft-Shell Week
What a tasty time it is in Kill Devil Hills! This picturesque part of the Outer Banks recently wrapped up its 2nd Annual Outer Banks Soft-Shell Week, and it was a resounding success. With a total of 838 votes cast across the participating restaurants, this year’s event had locals and visitors alike clamoring for the unbeatable flavors of soft-shell blue crabs.
Congratulations to the Winners!
Drumroll, please! The coveted 2024 Outer Banks Soft-Shell Week Best Dish Award was claimed by none other than Kill Devil Grill, who wowed everyone with their scrumptious dish that netted them an impressive 187 votes. Executive Director Lee Nettles of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau expressed their gratitude, saying, “A big thank you to our 30 participating restaurants for joining us in creating an authentic culinary experience that celebrates our native blue crabs and the foodie frenzy surrounding their May molt.”
The Experience of Soft-Shell Week
This year’s Soft-Shell Week saw vibrant participation from a diverse lineup of restaurants, stretching from Duck, NC to Cape Hatteras and even Roanoke Island. The variety of flavors and dishes offered had diners reveling in the wide range of culinary creativity. Nettles elaborated on the experience, stating, “There were many surprising recipes for folks to try along the Soft-Shell Week trail, which is still available on the event website.”
This year, the bureau reintroduced the people’s choice award, adding a fun competitive edge by allowing patrons to vote for their favorite dishes by simply scanning a QR code. Kill Devil Grill can now proudly showcase their hard-earned award and is more than ready to defend their title next year!
Community Support and Economic Benefits
The event garnered terrific support from the local community, not only delighting customers with mouthwatering dishes but also offering a boon to local establishments. Mark Ballog, a member of the Dare County Tourism Board and owner of Lucky12 Tavern, shared, “Any of the participating restaurants will tell you that they sold more softshell crabs this year.” This surge in sales means more delicious seafood from local watermen and fish houses, helping boost the overall economy of the Outer Banks community.
Participating Restaurants Shine
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau expressed appreciation for all the participating restaurants that made the week so memorable. A hearty thank you goes out to Brews and Eats like 1587 Lounge and Restaurant, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café, Black Pelican Restaurant & Catering, Café Pamlico, and many more, all of which contributed to a collaboration that thrilled seafood lovers.
Look Forward to Next Year!
As Soft-Shell Week comes to a close, there’s already excitement building for the next one! Nettles reminded everyone that attendees are encouraged to send in photos of their soft-shell dishes and tag @TheOuterBanksNC in their social media posts, with the chance of being featured on the event page.
Mark your calendars for the spring of 2025, just after Mother’s Day, when the 3rd Annual Soft-Shell Week delights us once again! With so many local restaurants bringing their A-game, who knows what culinary masterpieces await us next year? Until then, let’s continue supporting our local restaurants and embracing the flavors of the Outer Banks!
