The 11th Falmouth Oyster Festival
The 11th annual Falmouth Oyster Festival takes place next week with Celebrity Chef Clarissa Dickson Wright joining a very select list of top quality chefs to open proceedings on Thursday 18th October.
Previous distinguished operators in the culinary arts to grace the event include Rick Stein, Aldo Zilli, Antonio Carluccio and my personal favourite to date Hugh Fearnley–Whittingstall but Clarissa’s appearance is the first for the fairer sex.
I believe this does raise issues as to why celebrity chefs appear to be predominantly male and equally refute the long held view that men are useless in the kitchen.
I digress as the organizers have excelled themselves by compiling a superb package of fun and entertainment for all the family over the 4-day Festival.
Thursday’s programme includes cookery demonstrations, live music, food stalls, arts and craft stalls and of course oysters washed down either fine wines from Walter Hicks or fine ales from Steve Skinner.
On Friday the mix is much of the same but with a new feature in the evening will be a Ready, Steady Cook Competition between Nick Hodges (Lusty Glaze) and Arty Williams (The Cove) operating in Port and Starboard Kitchens with the audience voting on the best meal prepared by the two chefs.
Music again will be slotted in throughout the day with a mixture of styles to suit all tastes.
The Oyster Parade from the Moor to Events Square will be a lunchtime highlight on Saturday but other attractions include an Oyster shucking contest in the afternoon and an evening spent in the company of Tom Cunliffe and Claudia Myatt.
Cunliffe for those who have yet to meet the man is a hero of mine as a superb yachtsman, journalist and broadcaster. He has written countless books on sailing and has probably forgotten more than I have ever known on the subject.
A giant of a man in sailing circles and not just in stature if I was ever in a small boat at sea in a force 12 I would like Tom to be at my side.
Claudia is equally well known as marine illustrator and author and between them both it promises to be a highly entertaining and enjoyable evening.
This year the Marquee will be open until 11.00 pm on both Friday and Saturday and fish suppers will be available on the Saturday night after the entertainment.
I should add that the 30th Falmouth Beer Festival is being held at the Princess Pavilion on Friday and Saturday and Falmouth are playing Truro at rugby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon (KO 3.00 pm)
The atmosphere in the Town will be very special all weekend and really a must visit destination for everyone at some point during Festivals.
The Oyster Festival finishes on the Sunday with the Falmouth Working Boats Inner Harbour Race taking place at 11.00 am with prize giving and shanty singing with the Falmouth Shout in the Marquee in the afternoon.
The Maritime Museum is as ever a generous and active supporter of the Festival and throughout the weekend there are activities for the family taking place in the main Museum buildings likewise some of the active Oyster Dredgers will be along side the Museum pontoons.
All the ingredients are in place to make the 11th Festival the best yet.
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