Do you think you can break the record for shucking oysters? Compete amongst the best shuckers in the world on the festival main stage. This competition is presented by Raspberry Point Oysters.
Overview
- Open to all Canadian and International residents
- Competition will consist of up to 24 participants
- Competition will take place on main festival stage
- Contestants will open and present 12 oysters on the half shell
Selection of applicants to compete is at the discretion of the Competition Committee.
What is provided ?
- Each contestant will receive 14 oysters from which they will select their 12 competition oysters
- A platter of coarse salt to present the 12 shucked oysters
What to bring?
- Contestants must supply handwear, shucking knives, cutting board, and any other related equipment
- Contestants may wear finger stalls or gloves
- Contestants may use a towel to hold oysters in place
- Contestants may carry one back-up shucking knife
- All equipment must be approved by the judges
Attire
- Must be presentable keeping with the occasion and representing themselves, the province, and any sponsoring organization to the best advantage
Disqualification
- At the discretion of the judges and timekeepers
- If Contestant does not comply with the rules of the contest
- If Contestant distracts another competitor by vocal or physical interference during the competition
- If Contestant is deemed to have committed a flagrant and/or unseemly impropriety during the competition
Judging
- There will be 3 judges
- Each shall have considerable experience and/or knowledge of the half shell oyster service
- Each contestant will have a timekeeper and back-up timekeeper
- Contestants will be provided with 14 choice PEI oysters and must open and present 12 oysters
- Contestants will poise his/her shucking knife at head height to indicate readiness
- At signal of Master of Ceremonies, all timekeepers simultaneously start their watches and contestants begin to shuck
- Contestants must tap the table or raise both hands overhead and step back from the shucking table when shucking is complete and oysters are presented to his/her satisfaction
- The timekeeper will immediately stop the watch
- Contestants may not touch tray of oysters after he/she has signalled completion
Penalties
To be determined by the 3 judges
The following conditions render an oyster not presentable and are subject to the following penalties:
- Presented less than 12 opened oysters on the completed platter. Penalty Time: 30 seconds/oyster
- Not presented upright or meat out of shell. Penalty Time: 10 seconds/oyster
- Presented on flat shell. Penalty Time: 10 seconds/oyster
- Presented with blood on oyster meat. Penalty Time: 30 seconds/oyster
- Presented with a broken (in two pieces) undershell. Penalty Time: 10 seconds/oyster
- Presented with shell, grit, mud or other extraneous material. Penalty Time: 2 seconds/oyster
- Presented with meat cut or mangled. Penalty Time: 2 seconds/oyster
- Presented with oyster meat not completely severed from the shell. Penalty Time: 3 seconds/oyster *If more than 6 oysters are penalized for this reason, penalty time increases to 10 seconds/oyster)
Scoring
- Judges will provide the tally each contestants overall penalty scores
- Penalties will be added to the shucking time for each contestant to determine actual shucking time
- Overall score determined by a combination of actual shucking time, shucked appearance, presence of shell, grit, broken shell cup, meat cut etc.
- The winner is that contestant who has the lowest total seconds score and has not been disqualified
- Master of Ceremonies will announce the results of the competition on main stage
Prize
- 1st Place: $2,000
- 2nd Place: $500
- 3rd Place: $250
- Cleanest Plate: $100
- Ladies Fastest Shucking Competition: $1,000
(Please Note for the Fastest Female Oyster Shucker Prize: There is only one (1) cash prize to be awarded from the combined results of the Irish Point PEI Oyster Shucking Championship and the Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship.)
Terms
- Right to use the 2023 Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship seal for promotions purposes until September 2024.
- The winner will be profiled on www.peishellfish.com including a link to the winner’s restaurant or catering service website.
- Winner’s picture and name will be used for promotion in 2023 marketing materials under the direction of the Festival Marketing Team.
- Included in all media releases and media relations in regards to the Raspberry Point Oyster Shucking Competition
- Interview as defending champion with all media present at the 2024 Shellfish Festival
Raspberry Point International – Fastest Female Shucker
Cheer on your favourite female competitors as they vie for a chance to hold the title of Raspberry Point International – Fastest Female Shucking Champion. Both the Fastest Female Shucker and Ladies Cleanest Plate are cash prizes in memory of Marlene Dowdle.
Overview
- Must apply under Irish Point Oyster Shucking Championship (for PEI Residents only) or Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship (individuals who reside outside of PEI)
- Spaces are limited
- Competition will take place on main festival stage during the allotted time for Irish Point Oyster Shucking Championship and Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship
- Competition rules, scoring and judging are the same as Irish Point Oyster Shucking Championship and Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship
- Contestants will open and present 12 PEI oysters on the half shell
- Female Winner receives $1,000 cash prize
Competition Details:
- Female competitors participating in the Irish Point Oyster Shucking Championship and Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship are automatically entered to compete for the Fastest Female Shucker title.
- Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship (individuals who reside outside of PEI)
Prize:
- Fastest Female Oyster Shucker: $1,000
(Please Note for the Fastest Female Oyster Shucker Prize: There is only one (1) cash prize to be awarded from the combined results of the Irish Point PEI Oyster Shucking Championship and the Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship.)
- Ladies Cleanest Plate: $250
(Please Note for the Ladies Cleanest Plate Prize: There is only one (1) cash prize to be awarded from the combined results of the Irish Point PEI Oyster Shucking Championship and the Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Championship.)