Got an email the other day from the Oyster House here in Philadelphia. Tomorrow Saturday 3.26.11 they are having their 2nd Annual Oyster Shucking Contest. There is a professional and an amateur competition with prize money for each but even better for a $5 entrance fee you can be a spectator and have opportunity to eat the oysters that are shucked during the competition. There will also be a cash bar that includes a local unamed beer that will be tapped from a firkin (1/4 keg). Sounds like a good time. Here's the official write up about the event:
Second Annual Shucking Contest!
On Saturday, March 26th beginning at 2pm, Oyster House will host the 2nd annual Shucking Contest, featuring professional oyster shuckers from accross Philadelphia competing for a $200 Grand Prize.
An amateur shucking contest will follow the pros, with guests having the chance win a $100 Oyster House Gift Certificate.
Admission to the shucking contest is $5 per person and includes all the varieties of shucked oysters as well as access to the Oyster House bar and special firkin of local craft beer, which will be on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The profressional shuckers, including competitors from Oyster House and others from renowned Philly seafood houses, will be judged by local food writers Drew Lazor from City Paper and Mealticket, Art Etchells from Foobooz and Jamie Shanker from Midtown Lunch Philadelphia, on their speed and acuracy as they shuck their way through 2 dozen oysters, working in heats of three shuckers at a time.
Onlookers can enjoy the fruits of the competitor's labors; the oysters will be passed out to the crowd after each heat!
Last year we had a full house with 18 pros and amateur shuckers and we can't wait to see who takes the prize home this year.
See you on Saturday!
