This year’s oyster shuck will see separate women’s and men’s divisions.
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Pip Boyton said this years Narooma Oyster Festival, on May 4-5, was shaping up as the best ever. The Merimbula oyster farmer admits separating the women from the men in the shucking competition was her idea.
“We’re seeing the next generation with a lot of young families buying into the industry,” Ms Boyton said.
“While women have always worked in the industry, it was largely behind the scenes. Now more women are working alongside the men and taking a more prominent role in the industry.
“It’s good to compete against your peers, but [having separate competitions] highlights the many women who now feature in the oyster industry.”
The festival is the highlight of Ms Boyton’s year: “Autumn is such a lovely time and south coast oysters are in their prime.”
The oyster shuck is open to everyone and will be judged by John Susman, one of the biggest names in the seafood industry and chair of the oyster judges at Sydney Royal’s Fine Food Show.
Festival spokeswoman Cath Peachey said the signature event was designed to celebrate the region’s quality produce, with a great program for foodies and families alike.
She said the oysters were taken from eight south coast estuaries, in one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable oyster growing regions.
“Farmers from six estuaries will sell oysters from their own stalls in Australia Oyster Coast (AOC)’s Oyster Alley,” Ms Peachey said.
The AOC’s marquee will sell plates with oysters from all eight estuaries, allowing tasters “to compare the flavour and texture of oysters from each estuary”.
We’re seeing the next generation with a lot of young families buying into the industry.
- Pip Boyton
New this year will be Farm Yarns; a ‘meet the producer’ conversation-style event, hosted by John Susman at 1pm. There is an opportunity to meet other producers including Nic Dibden of Tilba Real Dairy, Hayley Abbott from the Narooma fishing family, and Clyde River oyster farmer Ben Ralston.
She said Saturday would see more than 70 market stalls, free kids rides, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, and live music, headlined by award-winning Claude Hay. The Aboriginal displays would be a highlight.
“Stalls will include some of the region’s award winning boutique dairy companies: Clyde River Berry Farm, Disaster Bay Chillies, Tanja Olives and Eden mussels,”Ms Peachey said.
“Food other than oysters will also be available, such as laksa from Matt Ratcliffe’s Oyster Bar and Alan Newbold’s pop-up restaurant.”
