Rock Oyster Festival Shells Out

Jan. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- The organisers of the Rock Oyster Festival met at Porthilly Farm, home to the the Rock Shellfish Company, to present the proceeds of the 2010 event to the RNLI and St Minver School PTA. Mike Hewitt, Hon Sec. Rock Lifeboat Station and Nick Lane, Headmaster at St Minver School, were on hand to receive cheques in excess of £2,000 each from festival organiser Charlie Anderson, and lead sponsor Hugh Ridgway, owner of the St Moritz Hotel and spa in Trebetherick.

Due to the huge success of the 2010 festival, the Rock Oyster Festival will relocate in 2011 to the stunning venue of Dinham House, overlooking the Camel Estuary. With more space and camping facilities the move will help cement the festival’s growing reputation as the leading artisan food event in North Cornwall.  

Running over the weekend of the 17th – 19th June there will be a fantastic  range of family entertainment as well as some of the best local producers showcasing  delights from shellfish to steaks and everything in between. So, even if you aren’t a confirmed oyster lover, you can give them a go or opt for something else equally delicious.

“We were delighted  with the support shown by local people, and visitors from out of the county. With over 1,500 oysters sold on Saturday alone, we’ll be making sure we’re stocked up for 2011! The event had something for everyone,” said festival organiser, Charlie Anderson. “…and the 2011 festival will be aim to provide just as much fun, food and entertainment in its beautiful new setting overlooking the estuary and we are looking forward to hearing from the best of Cornish food who want to get involved.”

“As a local business owner, I was particularly keen to support the Rock Oyster Festival”, said Hugh Ridgway, owner of St Moritz Hotel. “There was a huge turnout over the weekend and our stall was jam-packed with people looking to taste the food cooked up by our Head Chef, James O’Connor. As a business, we have really seen the value of being involved.”

Businesses interested in getting involved in the Rock Oyster Festival 2011 should contact event organiser Charlie Anderson by email on: charlie@rockoysterfestival.co.uk

Find out more at www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

Issued on behalf of the Rock Oyster Festival by Excess EneRGy Communications.  For further information, supporting images or interviews please contact Tom Cowle 07815 122950 or Tom@excessenergycomms.com or Rhona Gardiner on rhona@excessenergycomms.com or on 07740 410052.

Notes for editors
Events at the Rock Oyster Festival 2011 to include:
Camping on site.
Food Theatre. Inc Taster Menus available all day from a wide variety of food stalls.
Beverages. Beer from the Salty Dog Pub, Wadebridge Wines Wonderland and Jamie’s Pimms and Cocktail garden.
Shopping bazaar - marquee packed with stalls
Seashore Scavenge, James Burke and Dave Thomasson team up with Abby Crosby from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust for a salt marsh ramble and to forum on coastal foraging.
SkillShare’s such as butter-churning, ice-cream making and pesto making will be presented by the Youth Food Movement UK.
The World of Mussels and Oysters: Tim Marshall will showcase how to open an oyster properly and explain why the Camel Estuary is ideal for oyster and mussel farming.
Katy Davidson of Mangez-Moi oysters will deliver regular Oyster Masterclasses including shucking, cooking and cocktails. Katy will be getting ‘oyster virgins’ to try her signature ‘Pressure Cooker Oyster’ if they are too squeamish to go raw!
Outside stage with music, street performers and oyster shucking competition.
Kid’s activities including Friday evening two man kid’s circus “Circus Berzercus”, fancy dress “When the Ship Went down” and “Hunt for Ollie the Oyster”, Bouncy Castle, storey telling under the Charmed Tree and tree dressing ceremony.
St Minver Classic Vehicle show.