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British Oyster Opening Championship

Last week we made our way up to London to take part in another year’s British Oyster Opening Championship. English’s have been taking part for the best part of two decades, and this year we put forward Antonio Lavia, one of our general managers, to shuck his way to the winning place, and the chance to compete internationally. Not just any year, this was the 25th anniversary of the championship.

Antonio Lavia from English's sign, to be hung in front of his shucking station

Here are a few photos from the day – sadly, Antonio didn’t take the year’s winning place, but congratulations to Federico from Bentley’s who stole the show and will represent the UK in the International finals! To view all our photographs, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnglishsBrighton/

The team from English's, Jonathan Spears, Antonio Lavia and Simon Leigh-Jones

The team from English’s: (l-r) Jonathan Speirs, Antonio Lavia and Simon Leigh-Jones.

Two shucking knives

The best tools for the job?

Antonio at his shucking station, halfway through shucking his 30 oysters and displaying them in a platter of ice

Half-way through.

Final platter of shucked oysters, waiting to be judges

The finished platter.

Antonio holding a half-drink pint of Guinness and a shucked oyster

A well-earned celebratory Guinness and oyster!

A group photo of all the contestants, with the winner at the front holding his trophy

Congratulations, Federico from Bentley’s!

A tray of canapés

The canapés weren’t bad, either.

A bucket filled with tiny bottles of Tabasco

Thanks to Tabasco for such a fantastic day.