19th Narooma Oyster Festival set to Rock Oysters
The Narooma Oyster Festival returns to Wagonga Inlet this weekend, bringing with it a tide of extraordinary South Coast Rock Oysters, seafood, produce, chefs and entertainment.
Rock Oysters are at the heart of the program, with nine estuaries and 10 growers showcasing their harvest in Oyster Farmers Alley, the Betta Cooking Demonstrations, masterclasses, collaborations and series of elevated culinary experiences from May 1 to 3.
“The oysters are in wonderful condition and festival goers will be able to meet the growers and taste the merroir of each estuary in Oyster Farmers Alley,” said Renee Pearce, General Manager of Narooma Rocks. “It’s a rare opportunity to experience that in one place, there’s really nowhere else in Australia like it.”
“We’re thrilled to be showcasing Rock Oysters and growers from Wagonga Inlet, along with Wonboyn, Pambula, Merimbula, Wallaga and Wapengo Lakes, Nelson Lagoon, and the Clyde River,” Renee said.
The festival’s music line-up is headlined by Sarah McLeod of The Superjesus, supported by Sunday Lemonade, Spindrift Saga, Waikama, Howling Mitch Trio and more regional stars and performers.
“The weather across the weekend is looking sensational, and Friday Night’s Warm-up is set to be a great night of live music, food and fireworks around the oyster and liquor bars,” said Renee.
“Saturday’s program has been extended to 6pm, in a full day of flavours and entertainment along the foreshore. Contenders are ready and raring to go for the Australian Oyster Shucking Championships Australia’s Biggest Oyster – two of our most anticipated events.”
More than 25 brewers, vintners and distillers are pouring across the weekend, with more than 40 producers and vendors to fire up the grills and showcase the region’s bounty. The Betta Cooking Demonstration Program will guide foodies through 10 oyster and seafood recipes by five local and visiting chefs including Courtney Roulston (Farm to Fork), Jeff Razon of The Oyster Cove Cocktail Bar and Matteo Ponti of Mimosa Wines at Murrah.
“The chefs are excited to bring their own touch to South Coast oysters and produce, and there are wonderful collaborations to discover too – from oyster stouts, oyster shell gins and an Oyster Red Ale, to oyster po’ boys, lobster rolls and international flavours,” Renee said.
Children aged 17 and under enter free with a ticketed adult, and festival coaches from Merimbula, Bermagui and Batemans Bay make getting there easy.
“With oysters in peak condition and so much happening across the weekend, it’s shaping up to be a really special festival,” Renee said.
Tickets are available at naroomaoysterfestival.com