New Sandler Center Photo Exhibit Puts Virginia Beach's Restaurant Scene on Display

A new photography exhibit celebrating the food and people of Virginia Beach is set to open at the Sandler Center, where images of local dishes now line the walls of the second and third floors.

Titled "The Recipe," the gallery opens to the public on Tuesday, January 9, and includes more than 60 photographs. The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association, a group made up of local restaurants and those who support them, commissioned the project nearly 18 months ago.

Martha Davenport, speaking during a preview of the exhibit with News 3, described the gallery as a starting point. "This is the first step for putting Virginia Beach as a culinary destination," she said.

The images were taken by photographer Nathan Beck, whose work has appeared around the world over a 35-year career. Beck lives in Charlottesville but visits Virginia Beach often.

According to Beck, shooting the collection took 15 months and covered roughly half of the restaurants in the association. Some frames demanded considerable patience. One image, showing champagne glasses set in front of the King Neptune statue, took a couple of hours to get right.

The subject matter ranges widely, from oysters to pizza, and follows food from its source to the plate. The exhibit also shows restaurant workers and customers. Beck said the focus goes beyond the dishes themselves. "It's all about the restaurants and the ballet of how a restaurant works. Of all the different people that serve, cook, greet you at the restaurants," he told News 3.

Davenport said the association believes the city deserves much more attention for its cuisine, especially the variety it offers. She credited the mix of people who come to Virginia Beach, open restaurants and become part of a close-knit community. She also pointed to the influence of the military, noting that many service members arrive and stay in the area.

Organizers hope the exhibit will encourage visitors to the Sandler Center to patronize restaurants around town and tell others about them. The opening was timed to precede Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, which runs January 15-21.

"The Recipe" is planned as a three-year project. The second and third parts of the gallery are scheduled to arrive in spring 2025 and 2026, respectively.