14th Annual Grand Central Oyster Frenzy Features Shucking Championships and Slurp Off

The 14th Annual “Grand Central Oyster Frenzy” is set for Saturday, October 1, at the Grand Central Oyster Bar (lower level, Grand Central Terminal) in New York City from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Blue Island Oyster Company, K&B Seafood, Element Seafood and Casale Jewelers are the co-sponsors.

It will be an all-day Frenzy; a bivalve bonanza! Chef demonstrations by talented chefs, various competitions open to the public, sixteen varieties of oysters – eight each from the East and West coasts – six championship wines – including the “Grand Champion” to be selected by a blue ribbon panel of judges — and the top professional oyster shuckers on the planet vying for a grand prize of $3,000 will be among the highlights.
The Oyster Bar’s executive chef Sandy Ingber (a.k.a. Bishop of Bivalves), president Janet Poccia, vice president Mohammed Lawal, and general manager Frank Botta will oversee the festivities now well into its second decade.
Q104.3 FM Radio personality Shelli Sonstein, oyster aficionado and co-host of “The Jim Kerr Rock and Roll Morning Show,” will serve as MC.
Patrons will be able to enjoy the frenzy which includes the“Slurp off” competitive eating competition (whoever slurps 10 oysters in the fastest time) and the “Beer Shucking” competition (the fastest to open all bottles of a case of beer is declared winner), celebrity chef demos and the highlight of the day-long festivities, the professional shucking championships when top competitors will vie for a grand prize of $3,000, and a total purse of $3,750.
The oysters for the professional shucking championships will be as follows: Round 1-Lighthouse from Oysterponds, NY, provided by K&B Seafood; Round 2-Gigacup Selects from Washington State, provided by Element (W&T) Seafood; and Round 3-Naked Cowboy from Port Jefferson, NY.
Top area chefs will showcase their culinary wizardry in demonstrations that include public tastings.
About the Blue Island Oyster Company: Blue Island Oyster Company was founded in 1995 with the aim of providing Manhattan restaurants with the highest quality shellfish available. It all started when Chris Quartuccio began scuba diving for natural oysters in the Long Island Sound and delivering them fresh daily to chefs in New York City. This business has grown substantially in 20 years and is now recognized as the number one oyster and clam distributor in the New York area. Blue Island is now shipping shellfish all over the United States. Our oysters and clams can be found on restaurant menus in Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and Miami. Blue Island’s dedication to consistent quality and adherence to proper oyster appellation has landed our shellfish in virtually every oyster bar and seafood restaurant in Manhattan. Numerous James Beard Award winners, 3 and 4 star chefs, and large restaurant groups have designated Blue Island as their primary supplier.
About K & B Seafood: K & B Seafood was founded in 1992 on Long Island in New York State, U.S.A. Ideally situated to deliver fresh seafood around the world, K & B receives fresh product directly from local baymen and fishermen, as well as from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Visit www.kandbseafood.com/oysters for more information. Located in close proximity to the Fulton Fish Market and JFK International airport, K & B is able to deliver fresh and frozen seafood within hours by refrigerated truck or air carrier. Local, domestic, and international customers are served the finest seafood on time. K & B’s two principals bring over 50 years of expertise to its seafood procurement, production, and distribution.

About Element Seafood: Element Seafood is a family-run distributor that specializes in quality shellfish. We work with many of NYC's leading chefs and restauranteurs, and offer online shopping, events and oyster shucking classes for the bivalve-curious. Element Seafood is proud to offer the knowledge, transparency and quality that you deserve. We have over three decades of experience in seafood distribution, and have provided premium oysters and shellfish to restaurants and retailers since 2007. With our commitment to doing business with integrity, we’ve built long-standing relationships with shellfish farmers and watermen, which allows us to share the best with you, foods that we’d be proud to serve our family. Visit https://www.elementseafood.com/
About Casale Jewelers: Casale Jewelers is the largest retail jewelry store in Staten Island for designer brands, certified diamonds, engagement rings, watches, repairs, custom designs & fine jewelry. Casale offers outstanding quality, service, selection, & value. Casale is a family owned jewelry store on Staten Island for over 25 years. Cory Schifter, second generation President at Casale Jewelers has built a team of professionals with over 15 years of experience that will help you feel comfortable and secure with every purchase, whether large or small.
Here’s a recap of the 2015 championships:
These are the champions of the spectacular 13th annual Grand Central Oyster Frenzy, the bivalve bonanza held on September 26, 2015 at New York City's Oyster Bar and Restaurant:
Jose Juan Castulo of the Bronx, New York, competing under the banner of the Ocean Grille, narrowly out-shucked eight-time champion Luis Iglesius in the third and final round, to capture the Professional Shucking Championship and $3,000 grand prize. Blue Island Oyster Company and K+B Seafood were co-sponsors of the competition with the Oyster Bar.
Shkelqim Noka defended his title to win a third straight "beer shucking"‎ competition, swiftly de-capping a case of beer (24 bottles) in a mere 17-seconds.
Six-footer Nathan Hall of Sunnyside, Queens, towered over his nine rivals and was victorious in the "Slurp-Off" competitive eating contest, slurping 10 oysters in just 6-seconds.