700 People attended the event. Photo: Fran Kirsten.
Despite the cold snap that has gripped Knysna, 700 guests flocked to experience this year’s Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna served with Tabasco.
This event, always a firm favourite during the annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, saw 10 local Garden Route restaurants competing for the coveted Best Dressed Oyster title.
Restaurateurs showcased their signature oyster dish that had to feature Tabasco in the recipe. Guests, on presentation of a voucher, could sample these oysters. Tabasco offered entrees, starters, main course and, of course, desserts to those nonoyster-lovers.
Guests were in awe of the fare of Knysna’s favourite delicacy, the oyster, on offer and consumed these with great gusto.
Unlike previous years when external judges were called upon to judge the dishes, this year guests were asked to vote for their favourite Best Dressed Oyster and the Best Dressed Stall.
Plettenberg Bay’s The View Tapas & Cafe Bar won the Best Dressed Oyster recipe with their “Summer is Coming” oyster. Their delicious cultivated oysters were marinated in tiger’s milk and then placed on Asian coleslaw with lemon geranium sorbet.
Previously known as the Rod and Reel, The View Tapas & Cafe Bar officially opened its doors to the public less than two months ago. Co-owner Chantelle Dicey was understandably ecstatic at winning the sought-after title, and explained that they had just made the competition cut-off with literally hours to spare.
“I am so excited about the win that it is difficult to put into words how we all feel. Thank you to all that voted for us and especially to our chef Richie Rorich for creating our delicious dish, which will now feature on our menu.”
Hot on their heels were Knysna’s own Tapas & Oysters. In third place was last year’s winner, Sedgefield’s much loved PiliPili Beach Bar.
The Views received R10 000 in cash for their first prize, Tapas & Oysters R5 000 and PiliPili R2 000.
The Best Dressed Stall was won by Knysna’s Tapas & Oysters, who received R5 000 in prize money.
