Oyster shuckers prepare to twist the knife
Scottish chefs and industry professionals from the seafood sector are being invited to take part in the third annual Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships at Stranraer Oyster Festival next month.
The winner will represent Scotland at the World Championships in Galway, Ireland later in September.
Last year’s winner, Gordon Reekie, chef at That’s Yer Dinner in Glasgow, is encouraging chefs to take part in the contest, organised by Seafood Scotland.
Career highlight
“Winning the ShuckOff title last year will undoubtedly remain a career highlight of mine for years to come,” said Reekie.
“Not only for my own pride as a chef, the industry recognition or even getting the chance to represent my country, but more so the pride of being an ambassador for the amazing, quality seafood which we source from Scottish waters.”
World champion oyster shucker and Guinness World Record holder, Patrick McMurray - aka Shucker Paddy - will again travel to Stranraer from Toronto to host the championship.
This year Seafood Scotland is also introducing a Loch Fyne pop-up oyster bar run by Ferran Segeur Meyfroodt, head oyster shucker at Oysterman Events.
£1m festival
Clare MacDougall, trade marketing manager at Seafood Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships back for another year and I’m confident this year’s event will attract even more entrants, including chefs, oyster growers, producers, fisherman and industry specialists from across the country.”
The Stranraer Oyster Festival runs from Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15, and is described by its organisers as “a three-day celebration of the area’s unique coastal heritage, its culture, its people and its fabulous wealth of local produce”.
In January, it was reported that an independent study had found that last year’s event, which attracted 14,000 visitors, was worth about £1 million to the local economy.
