Your Ultimate Guide to the Dibba Bay Shuck Off at Taste of Dubai
The third edition of the Dibba Bay Oyster Festival is landing in the UAE from February 16th to 25th where you can enjoy all things oyster, from special offers and pairings around town to visiting the oyster farm! The 10-day festival will culminate in the ultimate shuck show at Taste of Dubai from February 23rd to 25th at Sky Dive Dubai. For those who don’t know oyster shucking is the culinary skill required to open the oyster before you are able to slurp it down. This event is destined to be a foodie frenzy; even for those who are not familiar with these beloved bivalves. Here’s what to expect:
- Oyster Shucking Competitions:
On Saturday February 24th you can watch chefs battle it out for the title of UAE’s shucking champion. With Swiss watchmaker Breitling as the Official Timekeeper every second will count as chefs from across the country compete for the title.
This year, Patrick McMurray who is a World Shucking Champion and Guinness world record holder for opening 39 oysters in one minute, will be hosting the competitions and be part of the judging panel. The show is sure to be a crowd pleaser as shucked oysters from each heat will be passed around to audience members after judging.
Think you’ve got what it takes to compete? Sign yourself up for the amateur shucking competition on Sunday 25th February, but first ask yourself how many oysters you can open in one minute!
Register on their website and join the fun with some great prizes to be won.
Check out the following rules and regulations:
Each contestant receives a shucking kit and oysters. Contestants must bring their own protective gear.
1) At the signal of the MC, the timekeeper will start the stopwatch.
2) Contestants must aim to open a maximum number of oysters in one minute.
3) Timekeeper will stop the time once a minute is complete. All contestants must put down their knives and step away from the table immediately.
4) Top and bottom shells must be fully separated
5) Oysters must be placed on the table, if dropped on floor they are not counted.
6) Judges will inspect the oysters before confirming the winner.
7) Contestant who opens the maximum oysters in a minute, wins the competition. - Chef Demonstrations
Other than watching the thrilling competitions, you can also catch chefs Jenny Morris and Hattem Mattar as they demonstrate their take on the UAE’s home-grown oyster on the main stage throughout the 3 days. - Exclusive Oyster Menu
Dibba Bay is also running a restaurant pop up with exclusive dishes at Taste of Dubai where you’ll get to enjoy oysters like you’ve never had them before . Think fried oyster rolls and specially curated toppings that pair perfectly with these local shucks. Don’t miss the beverage stands on offer highlighting the best alcoholic and non-alcoholic oyster pairings. - Masterclasses
There will be a range of masterclasses you can sign up for such as:
How to Shuck 101
Learn how to open your own oysters by a World Oyster Shucking Champion; Patrick McMurray. Patrick also holds three Guinness Book Records for shucking oysters. He will be hosting the event all 3 days- don’t miss this guy in action!
Oyster Pairing Masterclasses
Join the expert sommeliers from The Tasting Class for daily masterclasses where they will teach you the ins & outs of pairing oysters with wines and spirits. You will get to explore the key tasting notes of oysters that should be considered when creating a winning pairing & how different toppings & cooking methods interact with a range of drinks.
Oyster Shucking Competition Efficiencies – Workshop
If you are competing in any of the oyster shucking competitions- this one is for you! Join World Oyster Shucking Champion, Patrick McMurray, for all the insights on how to compete to get the best time and presentation points.
Champagne Masterclass
What’s an oyster event without it’s perfect pairing? Mumm Champagne will be guiding an experience of champagne tasting taking you through the different champagne varieties.
See the full program details here
The Dibba Bay Oyster Shuck Off
February 23rd to 25th
Taste of Dubai , SkyDive Dubai
Free to attend with Taste of Dubai Entry ticket.