By Vivienne Pearson
There is a word that will have half of you salivating and the other half gagging. Oyster.
It’s a food that divides. You’re either an oyster lover, or you’re not. Occasionally, someone switches camp, but people are usually in or out for life.
If you are like one friend of mine who, when I mention oysters, gets all dewy-eyed and says: ‘They’re like nothing else… it’s a whole romantic experience,’ then please get your calendar ready. If you are like another friend, who says unprintable things involving seawater and nasal secretions, you are excused from reading on – hey look, there’s a great article about retained-heat cooking over there!…
During the month of August, the Balcony Bar & Oyster Co is holding their inaugural Oyster Festival.
Starting with daily Oyster Hours ($1 oysters 5–6pm), there will also be oyster shooters (a cross between a cocktail and an entrée) and drinks designed to complement oyster feasting. Oysters – both rock and Pacific varieties, sourced from around Australia – will be front and centre of the dinner menu, including a Cheeky Beef and Oyster Pot Pie, and Oyster Rockerfeller.
The frenzy will climax on Wednesday 31 August, when executive chef Sean Connolly will run an Oyster Masterclass – guiding you through shucking, eating and pairing drinks with oysters.
So, oyster-lovers, go eat, drink and inhale oysters! And, for any non-oyster eaters who are still reading, take a few deep breaths and remember that eating oysters is way better than getting your feet cut to ribbons by them.
Happy oyster month!
Information: Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, Corner Lawson and Jonson Streets, Byron Bay. www.balcony.com.au or balconybyronbay on Facebook and Instagram.
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