London Shell Co to host charity oyster challenge with top chefs

14 shellfish supremos will battle it out in front of a judging panel
Shuck yes: Half of the proceeds from the night will go to a fishermen’s charity
Handout
Jochan Embley13 September 2022

Top chefs from London and south-east England will battle it out at a charity oyster challenge aboard a water-borne restaurant later this month.

London Shell Co’s Paddington location — the Grand Duchess barge — will host 14 chefs for the event on Thursday September 29.

Among them are Polly Towning and Rick Toogood of Prawn on the Lawn, Ben Waugh of Bancone, Ben Boeynaems of Colony Grill at the Beaumont and Sophie Taverner, formerly of Lyle’s.

Guests will get to try each of the chefs’ creations — in addition to soda bread with anchovy and chilli butter, plus smoked cod brandade snacks — before the oysters are judged by a panel of industry experts: Wright Brothers co-founder Robin Hancock, master fishmonger Danny Mustard, and journalists Xanthe Clay, Laura Millar, Chris Waywell and Samuel Goldsmith.

Harry Lobek, London Shell Co’s co-founder, said: “I’ve been wanting to run an oyster challenge for years on the boat… and now I finally get to do it. We’ve also got the wines and we’re ready to show them off.”

Half of the proceeds from the night will go the the Fishermen’s Mission, a charity that offers emotional and practical support to UK fishermen and their families.

Tickets are priced at £65pp, with the event running from 5pm until 9.30pm (guests should arrive between 5pm and 6pm) on the Grand Duchess, Sheldon Square, W2 6PY. Tickets can be bought at londonshellco.com.

The full list of chefs taking part is below:

  • Ben Boeynaems (Colony Grill at The Beaumont)
  • Ben Waugh (Bancone)
  • Fede Pollame (The Prince Regent, London Shell Co)
  • Gareth Clelland (Wright Bros)
  • George Haslam (Shuk)
  • Jamie Halsall (Cin Cin)
  • Mark Stubbs (Wheeler’s in Whitstable)
  • Polly Towning (Prawn on the Lawn)
  • Rick Toogood (Prawn on the Lawn)
  • Sophie Taverner (ex Lyle’s)
  • Stuart Kilpatrick (The Grand Duchess, London Shell Co)
  • Tom Cenci (Nessa; 1 Warwick)
  • Victor Garvey (SoLa)
  • Victor Okunowo (Isibani; Masterchef semi-finalist)

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