All event dates have expired.
The London Oyster Championships are back for another year at Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill in Mayfair on Thursday, 19 September, and it's just in time for the grand return of Native Oyster season (September–April). This year's edition is set to be even bigger and better than before, with food writer and TV personality Gizzi Erskine hosting the event and some of the country's best chefs and bivalve experts returning to work their magic. The used oyster shells from the event will also be collected from London-based restaurants and returned to Essex Estuaries, where they will help facilitate oyster restoration.
The festival takes place on the restaurant's iconic terrace, in the very place that's been serving oysters and some of the best British seafood for more than 100 years. Participants are coming from all over the world to take part, with the opportunity to compete in two categories: a Speed Shucking and a Best Dressed heat.
The Speed Shucking round will be broken down into five heats plus one final round in front of an esteemed judging panel including Chairman of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain, Chris Leftwich; Tristan Hugh-Jones from Rossmore Oysters; and Nicki Holmyard, an industry expert and previous master shucker. The winners will go on to represent England at the World Championships in Galway, Ireland, in an all-expenses paid trip – an honour carried by Bentley's own 'Oyster Boy' Federico Fiorillo last year when he returned home as the World Oyster Opening Champion.
Last year's Best Dressed Champion, Gabriel Waterhouse from The Waterhouse Project (London), is set to return to maintain his title, where he will go on to compete against chefs and representatives from restaurants across England, including Dinings SW3 (London), The Suffolk (Aldeburgh), Darby's (London), Erst (Manchester), Pearly Queen (London), The Pony Chew Valley (Bristol) and more. Judges, including chef Richard Corrigan, rapper and food enthusiast Professor Green, and Ballymaloe Cookery School founder, cook and author Darina Allen, will decide who takes home the Best Dressed crown.
Tickets are £50, and a limited number are still available to buy here.