Shuckfest Returns to Oyster House, Celebrating Its 10th Annual Oyster Shucking Competition!
Shuckfest Returns to Oyster House, Celebrating Its 10th Annual Oyster Shucking Competition!
On Sunday, April 28, from noon to 4 p.m., popular raw bar and restaurant Oyster House will host their fourth-annual Shuckfest, featuring the Oyster Shucking Competition, now in its 10th 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 Shuckfest is $15 per person (cash only). 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 $5 specials on beer, cocktails and wine. To add to the beverage selection, Bowmore Scotch will also be set up with a table offering scotch tastings. Additionally, Executive Chef Aaron Gottesman’s food booth will offer dishes for guests to enjoy such as New England Clam Chowder; Crispy Fried Shrimp Sliders; and Octopus Tacos. These items are cash-only.
During Shuckfest, 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 New Jersey oyster growers including, Sloop Point Oysters, Forty North Oysters, Cape May Salts Oyster Company, Sweet Amalia Oyster Farm, Betsy’s Cape Shore Salts, 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 Chef Kevin Sbraga, principle of Sbraga Consulting and season seven winner of Bravo’s hit Top Chef; Marisa Magnatta of WMMR’s Preston and Steve Show; and Kass Dahlquist aka @PhillyFoodGirl. 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.
