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The COVID-safe Narooma Oyster Festival will host a top line-up of chefs, farmers and producers. Photo: Narooma Oyster Festival Facebook.
Mouths will be watering at the news the Narooma Oyster Festival is returning on 30 April to 1 May 2021 with a top line-up of chefs, oyster farmers and producers.
The festival has attracted thousands of people each year and will be held in the Wagonga Inlet, Narooma and celebrates NSW South Coast oysters and the region’s natural quality produce, chefs, and rich artistic and cultural talents.
Highlights this year will include the Cooking Program which celebrates the relationship between producer and chef, matching local producers with some of the country’s most respected chefs including Sean Connolly from The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room in Sydney. The festival is set to announce further headline chefs later this month.
“The Festival is going from strength to strength,” said Narooma Rocks Chairperson Cath Peachey.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be able to attract chefs with an international profile like Sean and confirms that the festival has come a long way from the small community-run oyster festival it was a decade ago,” she said.
“The Long Table Dinner on the Friday night sold out in three minutes so we have organised a second dinner to keep up with demand.”
Festival-goers will be able to taste oysters from six local estuaries and try regional wines, craft beer and produce from a large variety of food stalls while enjoying live music. Festival favourites like the shucking competition, oyster masterclasses and fireworks show continue to be a part of the festivities.
A new collaboration with the region’s River of Art will add live mural painting, cultural dancing and an arts alley to the festival’s atmosphere.
Festival Ambassador, South Coast chef, author, and television presenter Paul West will appear alongside Kelly Eastwood who will host the cooking demonstrations and John Susman will oversee the Ultimate Appellation Oyster Experience and judge the shucking competition.
To meet COVID-19 requirements and streamline the entry, all tickets must be pre-purchased online and visitors are being advised to plan ahead as the event will be cashless.