The London Oyster Championships return to Bentley’s in September
Congratulations are in order to both Richard Corrigan – the chef who’s hosting the return of the London Oyster Championships – and, frankly, to us. Why? Because we’ve all resisted the urge to refer to it as the Shuck Off.
I mean, it’s right there, isn’t it?
Anyway, Richard didn’t and nor did we. So well done us.
The London Oyster Championships are assuming the mantle from the ‘Tabasco British Oyster Championship’ which ran for over 25 years. The event, which celebrates the return of the native oyster season (September-April, you know , the old “r in the month” thing), features participants from London’s top restaurants – such as Maison Francois, Wiltons, and Darby’s – competing in two heats; Best Dressed Oysters, followed by a speed-shucking round.
The winner will subsequently represent London on an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the World Oyster Opening Championship, which take place in Galway, Ireland the following week.
Compere for the event will be celebrated landlord Oisín Rogers, and judges include oyster lover and Bentley’s regular Stephen Fry. In addition to some delicious dishes and entertainment value, the event is intended to educate, and foster discussions about native oysters, their historical significance, and, for example, pivotal rewilding projects in the British Isles alongside innovative harvesting techniques and the vital significance of sustainable seafood practices. In addition, all oyster shells from the event will be recycled to help with native oyster bed restoration within Loch Ryan.
All proceeds generated from the event will be directed towards The Blue Marine Foundation.
A limited number of spectator tickets are available at the time of pressing “upload” which include the chance to sample the first natives of the season and take part in a Piper-Heidsieck Champagne masterclass. Tickets are available to purchase by, well, you know what to do by now…
Neil Davey
Neil Davey is a freelance writer specialising in things you can do sitting down, but mostly eating, drinking, travelling and interviewing the odd famous person. The author of The Bluffer's Guide To Chocolate, Neil also writes for The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Metro, Delicious Magazine, Sainsbury's Magazine, Escapism, Foodism and Hello!. Thanks to a karaoke machine in Montana, he once told a billionaire that he loved his sweet little pussycat nose and sang I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For with a Hollywood star, in the space of 15 minutes. He now generally stays away from karaoke machines in Montana.