OysterFact

How quick are you at shucking?

Insert, twist, flick, repeat. Sounds simple, right? But if you have ever attempted to shuck an oyster you will know that isn’t easy. Competition shuckers know just where to insert the knife to coax the shell open and avoid a shattered mess or a stabbed artery.

OysterFest is a great opportunity to learn a few tips on shucking, but watch carefully, they move quickly! Over the two days contestants vie for the title of the fastest shucker or the best half-shell shucker or both titles.

Shelton’s championship is a preliminary event to the US shuck-off at St. Mary’s Oyster Festival in Maryland. The National Oyster Shucking Championship Contest® features the fastest men and women shuckers competing for cash prizes. National winners can compete internationally in Galway, Ireland.

The West Coast Shucking Champion goes through more than 6,000 oysters (thank you Taylor Shellfish!). Shuckers draw a tray of two dozen oysters by lottery, arranging them in preparation.

If they want a switch, an oyster basket is passed around from which they can choose more favorable alternates. As the contest begins, the shuckers hold their knives at head height to indicate readiness.

The shuckers open and place each oyster, completely severed from the shell, on its unbroken half-shell. Speed is the primary factor on Saturday. Cash prizes are awarded each day – Saturday’s

Speed Shucking: 1st $500, 2nd $250, and 3rd $100. Sunday, speed is still a factor, but even more so is presentation in what are called the Half-Shell Trials.

Sunday Half Shell Competition: 1st $750, 2nd $500, 3rd $250, with a $250 cash prize for best presentation. Each contestant must not only shuck 24 oysters, but present in the half shell.

Try your shuck luck!

Interested in competing in the West Coast Oyster Shucking Competition at OysterFest? You can! The shucking competition is open to everyone. If you apply on or before September 21 the Early Bird Entry Fee is just $15/person. After, entry fee is $30/person. Only one fee is required to participate in both Speed and Half-Shell competition. Visit oysterfest. org for the shucking entry form and we’ll cheer you on in October at the main event!