 |
Harstine Oyster Wins 'Most Beautiful Oyster'
Contest, Reprinted from Pacific Shellfish Growers
Association Longlines Newsletter On April 28, Harstine Oyster won the honor of "Most Beautified Oyster" at the SLURP and sponsor Henry Weinhard's presented them with a $500 check. Five judges, oyster aficionados all, judged the 17 oyster contestants based on "love at first shiest," meat-to-shell ratio, color of meat and frill and general appearance (shell shape, size and color). The Harstine Oyster Company has farms on Harstine and Squaxin Islands in the southern portion of Puget Sound. The winning oyster hailed from Squaxin's Palala Bay. Supervisor/HACCP coordinator Patsy Glaser-Gibson accepted the award on behalf of the company with great delight and squeals of enthusiasm. Patsy personally chose the winning oyster against the better judgment of her coworkers who complained that the oyster was too small to win the contest. You just have to trust me, gentlemen," Patsy told them. "Have a little faith! This is one time when bigger is not necessarily better!" Although the yearling oyster was easily half the size of the other contenders, it won hands down in every category. Brewing companies Henry Weinhard's provided the $500 cash prize as well as donating beer and root beer for the SLURP and donated an additional $250 to PCSGA's Shellfish Habitat Rejuvenation Fund, earmarked this year for the Henderson Inlet Community Shellfish Farm project. The esteemed oyster judges included Mike Carey with Henry Weinhard's, Olympia Mayor Stan Biles, Jon Rowley of Rowley and Associates, Greg Hinton whiff Aleut's Oyster House and Dan Fagergren, Auger Sound Action Team. Drayton Harbor and Ekone Oyster tied for second place. The Harstine Oyster Company will use the $500 to host a party for their employees, Patsy says, all of whom contributed to raising the winner. "We will cherish this moment for a long, long time!" Patsy said. "Thank you Henry Weinhard's - who by the way, makes the most outstanding oyster/beer commercials ever - and thank you PCSGA members and separates for encouraging our participation!" This was the fourth annual SLURP, a celebration of the shellfish industry and fundraising event for the PCSGA's Shellfish Habitat Rejuvenation Fund.
|