Oysters & 5,500 Pints of Guinness

Start saving now and book early for next year's Oyster Festival at Guy's Thatched Hamlet...it's so worth it! I experienced it for the first time last week (4th September) and was truly impressed.  Not just by the amazing food (which I'll get on to) but by the scale of the event.  It was incredibly well organised though, with all these large-scale functions, I'm sure there was someone, somewhere, having kittens about something that had gone array – trust me nobody noticed! On entering the marquee, what I thought was an illusion (created by a wall of mirrors) actually turned out to be a further marquee attached to the one we arrived in - ample space for the 1,000 guests (100 tables of ten).

It was pretty relaxed throughout, though there were some pretty finely dressed folks there - a bit like Ascot but with Irish dancing....the Irish bit due in no small part to sponsorship by Guinness.  5,500 pints of complimentary Guinness only helped the party atmosphere - to be sure. The addition of a couple of 'small people' dressed up as leprechauns was initially concerning - but they were having a great time and I stopped feeling bad for them when one of the cheeky little fellas half scared me to death by suddenly appearing at my side and staring me out.  More performance characters punctuated the afternoon, including gold painted cherubs on scooters and a skilful stiltwalker-lady pushing a trolley, until she decided to take to the dance floor - much to everyone’s amazement.  The biggest 'awwww' of the day going to the teeniest wee girl - who started the Irish dancing performance by a very talented local dance troupe - who's name I sadly didn't catch amidst the whooping and cheering that preceded their display.  Sorry ladies...you were excellent.
 
It's a seafood-lovers heaven with chowder to start, half a dozen oysters (which we'd seen arrive earlier, ceremonially by barge !) or smoked salmon (for oyster phobics), followed by a seafood platter of the freshest crab, salmon, langoustines (or were they huge prawns ?) and the best cured herring I've ever tasted. If you had any room left - the seafood feast was rounded off with strawberries and cream then coffee, Irish of course.
 
I heard several different nationalities in the room - I'm sure people travel miles for this event and it's possibly one of the best corporate hospitality opportunities on offer.  Sadly, the office beckoned and I left as the real party may have just started - the Guinness, oysters and great company giving many the courage to step onto the dance floor as the live band launched into many a familiar Irish folk song. I believe, traditionally, this lunchtime event runs into the early evening......when I guess a whole load of happy people start calling, or stumbling into taxis!

Comments

[Barbara Howorth]

Great to see the oysters could arrive by barge this year as when I went last year it was too wet for them! As part of the Festival they were giving prizes for the wackiest hat and most outrageous tie.

[Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd]

Wow! this sounds amazing - the food especially, although the marque looks very impressive as well. (my only concern - I don't think I could stomach seafood and Guinness at the same sitting - shame!)