As we count down the hours before tonight’s World Oyster Opening Champions from 10.30pm AEST, here’s a little recap of our champion’s final preparations.
Yesterday (Friday) was a full day immersed in Galway oyster culture for Zoe, offering precious extra time with the Galway Flat Oyster she will face tonight. The native Galway Flat Oyster is one of Ireland’s national treasures, just like our Rock Oyster and Angasi Zoe relished the chance to visit the famous Kelly Oysters, getting a few more oysters under her knife and watch the Irish National Oyster Opening Championships.
Farm Gate Tour: Kelly’s Oysters
The Kelly’s are Ireland’s oldest established family oyster business and supply some of the world’s best restaurants. They are also the official oyster supplier to the World Oyster Opening Championships, tasked with providing Galway Flats which are consistent in shape and weight, just like Australia’s Oyster Coast does for our own Championships here in Australia.
They source their flat oysters from carefully-managed wild oyster beds and grow them out on their own leases. Where the Rock Oyster takes at least three years to mature, the Galway Flat takes an astonishing six years. The Kelly’s farm up to one million oysters each year, each one hand harvested and packed in woven timber baskets with kelp.
Shucking with the best at An Pucan Irish Bar
The it was off to the pub for a meal and some more shucking practise. At An Pucan, Zoe met another of her oyster heroes, Shucker Paddy, a world record holder, co-founder of the Oyster Masters Guild and MC for the World Oyster Opening Championships.
Irish National Oyster Opening Championship
Then it was time to cheer on Ireland’s own competitive shuckers in the Irish Oyster Opening Competition. It was an nail biter, with David Small (of the hallowed Moran’s Oyster Cottage) earning Ireland’s place in tonight’s World Oyster Opening Championships.
Read more about the World Oyster Opening Championships and get the latest news here.
Narooma Oyster Festival is home of the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships which are proudly supported by Australia’s Oyster Coast.
