Oyster festival seafood celebration

Pick n Pay Seafood Wednesday, July 12, delivered on its promise of being better than ever as the event brought together the best Knysna has to offer in one venue, where visitors enjoyed only the freshest and most delicious seafood.

The festival grounds were a hive of activity as the Pick n Pay Fish Braai Competition got under way and locals battled it out for bragging rights as the best fish “braaier” in Knysna with Team Grant Sports taking the honours.

Hilary Biller, food editor of Sunday Times, Pick n Pay innovations specialist Yvonne Short, Pick n Pay seafood consultant Steve Moubray and Albert McRae of MegaMaster took on the arduous task of judging the competition.

The ever-popular oyster-eating and shucking competitions were as action-packed as ever with Team Jono and Jaryd managing to shuck and eat an astonishing 14 oysters in 60 seconds while Team Ricki shucked 30 oysters in 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

The Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna was a definite highlight of the evening, with top restaurants from Knysna, Sedgefield and the surrounding area all under one tent.

The fiercely fought competition for bestdressed oyster and best stand went to Usatsho Tshisa-Nyama and Butterfly Blu respectively as voted for by the guests of the show.

The Momentum Health Kiddies Area stayed open until 22:00 to make sure the little ones were well taken care of and kept entertained with a variety of activities and games throughout the evening.

The evening has been lauded as a huge success with many a guest eagerly anticipating the event again in 2018. Fish braai winners: Team Grant Sport –

Clarence Cloete and Warren Motha Runners-up: Pansy Cooks – David Jornett and Stacey Fredericks Third place: Kudu Cooks – Phumlani Qabe and Jeney Conradie

Photos: Elaine King The winners of the fish braai competition were Team Grant Sports members Clarence Cloete and Warren Motha.

Butterfly Blu was picked as an award-winning oyster stand at this year’s Flavours of Knysna.

Team Kudu Cooks members Phumlani Qabe and Jeney Conradie took third place in the fish braai competition.

The fish braai runners-up were Team Pansy Cooks, comprising Stacey Fredericks and David Jornett.

Pick n Pay supplied each competitor with fish and other ingredients, including fresh vegetables and herbs, to enhance their fish with. From rubbing mustard over fish to stuffing it with tomato, onion, herbs and nuts, each dish was a celebration of fish.

Photo: Jeannine Orzechowski The winner of the best-dressed oyster competition was local Green chef Melven Mene from Usatsho Tshisanyama & Catering. His winning recipe was a pineapple vodka salsa made with cucumber, chili, fresh dill and coriander and, of course, the magic...