The Inaugural London Oyster Championships, at Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill
On Tuesday 19th September 2023, The London Oyster Championships played host to some of the industry’s most famed shuckers, dressers and oyster lovers alike for a shuckingly fun festival hosted at Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill. A day to celebrate the return of our beloved Native oysters, as well as to capitalise on London’s long lasting history of oyster love, we were joined by over 30 competitors across our heats as well as a fantastic audience to celebrate.
Taking over the famed Tabasco British Oyster Championship, the newly formed London Oyster Championships included a Dressed Oyster heat and an Oyster Speed Shucking heat, both judged by a number of Oyster aficionados! Competitors included shuckers from Bentley’s Oyster Bar, The Waterhouse Project, Wiltons, Scotts, Seabird, Decatur, Oyster Boy Events, Darby’s and more across our five Speed-Shucking heats and Best Dressed Round.
Our panel of expert judges – including Chris Leftwich of the Shellfish Association of Great Britian, Tristan Hugh-Jones of Rossmore Oysters, and Nicki Holmyard, a industry expert and previous master shucker – crowned Bentley’s own Federico Fiorillo as London’s Oyster Shucking Champion, with the talented Gabriel Waterhouse from The Waterhouse Project taking the crown as London’s Best Dressed.
The London Oyster Championships and Bentley’s Oyster Bar give huge thanks to our sponsors on the day for making this fantastic event possible. With thanks to – Rossmore Oysters, Piper-Heidseick, Liberty Wines, Tobasco, Guinness, Fine + Rare and Visual Couture for their generous help.
The London Oyster Championships will return, 19th September 2024.