Every year, mixologists and master oyster shuckers from around the world meet at the annual World Oyster Invitational & Bloody Caesar Battle at Whistler Cornucopia. A fundraising event for the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, the 6th annual event was a highlight in the 20th year of the culinary festival.
Guests had the pleasure of sipping on an array of local wines, beer, prosecco, along with a selection of caesars that were part of the Bloody Caesar Battle. Some of the standouts included a caesar featuring gin and champagne and another with a hearty garnish of an oyster wrapped in cucumber and cream cheese.
The highlight of the night came down to the four heats of the oyster shucking competition. Sixteen master shuckers shucked 30 oysters in a set amount of time. Oysters had to be presented upright on a platter, without any shell and blood in a whole top shell, and judges decided on the winner based on shucking time and presentation. After an intense battle, Yvon-Jean Nicod of Joe Fortes came out as the winner of the $5000 grand prize.
Mark your calendars for next year's Cornucopia Festival! This two week celebration of food and drink is an absolute must for the culinary enthusiast.
