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Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has announced the finalists for its much-anticipated Best Dressed Irish Oyster Competition which returns for its third year on 14 October 2019.

A celebration of Ireland’s rich oyster farming heritage, entries for the competition opened last month and some of the UK’s top seafood chefs have now been whittled down to 12 finalists. Entrants were tasked with submitting either a hot or cold (or both) written recipe for a plate of twelve Irish oysters which were then judged by a renowned food critic.

The finalists will compete against one another in a live head-to-head final held at riverside restaurant, Wright Brothers Battersea Power Station, in front of a panel of expert judges.

As in previous years, the judges will be looking for immaculate presentation, stand-out flavour and overall creativity from the finalists. This year’s winner will receive the coveted title of ‘Best Dressed Irish Oyster 2019’ and a trip to Ireland to meet some of the country’s leading seafood producers, which supply high-end restaurants across the UK.

Donal Denvir, General Manager at Bord Bia commented: “Irish oysters are known the world over for their unrivalled taste and quality credentials and it’s fantastic to celebrate them each year through the Best Dressed Irish Oyster Competition. Each year, the competition continues to build momentum and I am very much looking forward to seeing the creativity, passion and expertise on show at the live final. Best of luck to all involved!”

Congratulations to:

Hot Category

1. Pavel Kobzaruk, Demi Chef De Partie, Myrtle
2. Simon Lamont, Head of Raw Bar, Seabird
3. Nathan Richardson, Head Chef, The Guinea Grill
4. Craig Edgell, Head Chef, Buoy and Oyster
5. Joginder Dham, Head Chef, The Fish Market
6. Douglas Grigg, Senior Sous Chef, The Oyster Shack

Cold Category

• Dean Parker, Head Chef, Darby’s
• Mark Taft, Executive Chef, The Inn at South Stanleigh
• Richard Hards, Head Chef, Bonnie Gull
• Gina Hopkins, Head Chef, Wright Brothers
• Michael Lynch, Head Chef, Bentley’s
• Douglas Grigg, Senior Sous Chef, The Oyster Shack

The Best Dressed Irish Oyster Competition final will be hosted by Matt Tebbutt and held at Wright Brothers, Battersea Power Station on 14 October.