On Tuesday night The Plus Ones gleefully attended the launch party of the Morrison Oyster Festival, a terrific event whereby the champagne was fizzing, the whisky was flowing and the oysters were absolutely spectacular The event took place at The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room on George Street, with the venue looking and feeling absolutely spectacular. As a relative newcomer to the world of oysters, I was buzzing with anticipation as to the oysters and champagne waiting for me.

The Morrison Bar & Oyster room was bustling when we arrived and there was a terrific sense of excitement in the air. The friend who I decided to bring along is an oyster loving sommelier who was keen to start paring oysters the variety of wines and champagnes available. A lovely woman greeted us at the door and welcomed us to the event. Upon entering we were met by a series of suave bartenders, chic chefs and effervescent mermaids (yes mermaids…) who enticed my friend and I with a seemingly endless supply of whisky cocktails, hotdogs, chowder, and of course oyster after oyster. Over at the oyster bar a heavily tattooed and extremely lovely chef was shucking oysters at a frenetic pace, with shells flying all over the place. Never have I encountered such a laborious (yet delicious) appetizer. I must have tried about eight or nine different varieties by the end of the evening. I especially enjoyed the oyster garnishing my cocktail.

There was a range of industry professionals at the event who were keen to teach everyone a little but more about the (not so) “humble oyster”. It was interesting to hear about the complexity and nuanced nature of our tasty friends, and we were lucky enough to learn about oysters from a range of perspectives. Speaking at the event were oyster farmers, sommeliers and even a pearl merchant. It was especially cool to find out that all of the oysters being served were from farms in New South Wales.  The Morrison’s staff did an absolutely fantastic job, and looked after the bright-eyed public beautifully. It’s official; I have evolved into an oyster fanatic!

– Yarran Gatsby

The Morrison Oyster Festival 2015 runs from the 1st of August to the 31st of August. To find out more click here.

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of the Sally Burleigh PR.

Photos courtesy of themorrison.com.au