Grand Central Oyster Bar 36th Annual Holland Herring Festival Underway; Continues Through July 1

The “nieuwe maatjes” herring finally arrived from the fleets on the North Sea, lovers of the delicacy flocked to theGrand Central Oyster Bar, and the 36th Annual Holland Herring Festival was underway on Wednesday (June 15) at the historic eatery in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The festival continues through July 1.



The official ceremony and first tasting was scheduled for 12:00 noon sharp, but anxious zealots were storming the doors prior to Oyster Bar’s opening at 11:30 AM. Aficionados wouldn’t be denied an early sampling after the year-long drought.





Oyster Bar executive chef Sandy Ingber was joined by Mr. Jan Kennis, Cultural Attache of the Netherlands to the U.S., and the Oyster Bar management team comprised of president Janet Poccia, vice president Mohammed Lawal and general manager Frank Botta kickoff the Festival.



"It is excellent,” said the Cultural Attache. “It is a good one, because every year is different, you know? This one is really fatty, really good."



Said the Bishop of Bivalves: "It's absolutely fantastic, very mild, very high in oil. It's very strong in flavor."



Netherlands consulate staffers Zwanette Bruggink, Ellen Shubert, and Helen van den Elzen, who annually assist in making the ceremony a flawless production, were also on hand.



Fernando Tapia and Tomoko Ryan were the servers extraordinaire, and Marcello Hernandez was at his customary spot behind the stick at the Lounge bar, and Holland imports Bols Genever Gin and Ketel One vodka were the popular flavors of the day.



The Governor stated: “The Empire State is privileged to be home to outstanding organizations and initiatives that serve not only the cultural and social interest of their membership, but also share their wonderfully rich traditions with the larger community. I commend the Grand Central Oyster Bar who have put together this celebration of Holland. Everyone affiliated with this endeavor is clearly inspired and motivated by a great love and appreciation for the Dutch.”



The Mayor wrote: “Our city is proud to be home to some of the world’s most renowned restaurants and the birthplace of some of the hottest food crazes, and this month, our residents will once again have the chance to be the first to sample another delicious culinary offering. The Oyster Bar has the honor of being the first restaurant in the country to offer this delicacy. This Festival a must for herring fans across the five boroughs. I am delighted to join the Oyster Bar for giving so many of our residents the opportunity to experience new tastes from around the world and for celebrating the tremendous diversity of our culinary community.”



The Borough President’s proclamation declared: "We are proud to commend those individuals and organizations that are committed to serve as the bulwark of our community and provide vital support generations of new arrivals to our city; and the 36th annual Holland Herring Festival will be held at none other than the historic Grand Oyster Bar, where the official First Tasting of the herring will commence, followed closely by a smorgasbord; and the Grand Central Oyster Bar is a fitting location for such an event, as the restaurant, over 100 years old, has stood the test of time, having been damaged by fire in 1997, yet recovered its former glory; and the architecture of the Grand Central Oyster Bar evokes the grandeur of a New York City from another time entirely, and as such is the ideal location for the Holland Herring Festival--indeed, it is the traditional destination in America for the first Holland Herring of the season for more than three and a half decades.”

Official press release:

For lovers of “nieuwe maatjes” herring from Holland, the arrival of the tasty delicacy from the waters of the Netherlands is always eagerly anticipated. So, circle Wednesday, June 15, at 12 noon on the calendar when the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar once again will launch its 36th annual “Holland Herring Festival” with opening ceremonies including the “Official First Tasting” of Dutch Herring, hosted by executive chef Sandy Ingber, president Janet Poccia, vice president Mohammed Lawal, and Mr. Jan Kennis, Cultural Attaché of the Netherlands to the U.S., as well as dignitaries and special guests participating in the ceremonies. The Herring Festival will continue through Friday, July 1. The Oyster Bar has for three and a half decades been the traditional destination in America for the first Holland Herring of the season. The most-looked-forward-to time of the year for herring lovers, the delicacy arrives air-expressed to the Oyster Bar from Scheveningen, The Netherlands, on the North Sea where the herring fleet makes its home. The Oyster Bar always receives the very first herring shipped to the USA, and the cream of the catch, as well. Herring lovers will enjoy the season for less than a month. For reservations contact the Grand Central Oyster Bar at 212-490-6650, or visit http://www.oysterbarny.com/.