SHUCK FEST RETURNS TO OYSTER HOUSE, FEATURING ANNUAL OYSTER SHUCKING COMPETITION

SHUCK FEST RETURNS TO OYSTER HOUSE,  FEATURING ANNUAL OYSTER SHUCKING COMPETITION

On Sunday, April 23, from noon to 4 p.m., popular raw bar and restaurant Oyster House will host their second-annual Shuck Fest, featuring the Oyster Shucking Competition, now in its eighth year. The event will feature an array of activities centered on the oyster, finishing off with their popular shucking competition for both professionals and aspiring oyster shuckers. Admission to Shuck Fest is $15 per person (cash only) and includes one Narragansett beer for guests over 21-years old. Additionally, children are welcome and those under 12-years old are free with adult admission.

Throughout the afternoon, Oyster House’s bar will be open on a pay-as-you-go basis with specials on beer from Narragansett; cocktails made with Avión Tequila as well as Philadelphia Distilling’s Bluecoat American Dry Gin and The Bay Vodka; and wine from The Wine Merchant. Additionally, Executive Chef Brett Naylor’s food booth will offer dishes for guests to enjoy such as New England Clam Chowder; Popcorn Shrimp; Crispy Fried Oyster Sliders; and Housemade Cookies. These items are cash-only.

During Shuck Fest, attendees may enjoy various activities including:

• Oyster Shucking Tutorials, where guests may learn how to shuck with the pros from Oyster House’s own team of master shuckers.
• Meet-Greet-and-Eat with local oyster growers including, Cape May Salts, Sweet Amalia Oyster Farm, Blue Island Oyster Company, Forty North Oyster Farms, and enjoy complimentary oysters as well as learn about their process and products.
• Craft Table for kids who wish to paint and make fun jewelry with oyster shells.
• “Shell-fie” Photo Booth with props for added fun.
• Oyster Shucking Competition:

Beginning at 2 p.m., the Oyster Shucking contest will commence, featuring professional oyster shuckers from Oyster House and other renowned seafood houses in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., all competing for a $200 Cash Prize. These competitors will be graded on speed and accuracy by the judging panel including Drew Lazor, a Philadelphia-based food and drink writer whose work has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Bon Appétit, Saveur and other notable outlets, Kass of Instagram’s @PhillyFoodGirl and Reserve’s General Manager Ben Fileccia. Penalties will be given for presentation fouls such as broken shells, cut oysters or incorrect number of oysters.

After a winner is crowned, amateur shuckers will race with the same guidelines, for a chance to win a $100 Oyster House Gift Certificate. Onlookers may enjoy the fruits of the competitors’ labors; the oysters will be passed to the crowd after each heat.