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Northwest Chefs Gather for Elaborate Culinary Event on Oregon Coast

(Newport, Oregon) – It will indeed be some enchanted evening in Newport on November 4 as the famous “Oyster Cloyster” event brings an evening of elegance and culinary decadence in the seafood world. This dazzling occasion of fine dining, wine, atmosphere and live music takes place at the Oregon Coast Aquarium after dark, and is a benefit for the Oregon Coast Community College Foundation.

As many as 15 chefs from the Northwest – mostly the coast – will be on hand, challenged to create original culinary masterpieces based on a main ingredient: oysters from the northwest. Four judges will be on hand to analyze the results, giving out prizes in various categories. To date the chefs who have confirmed will be from Chinook Winds Casino (Lincoln City), Spirit Mountain Casino (Grand Ronde), Embarcadero Resort (Newport), Seafood School of Astoria (Astoria), Port Dock One (Newport), Agate Beach Best Western (Newport), Whiskey Creek Café (Netarts), Panache (Newport), Resort at Salishan (Lincoln City), Rogue Brewery (Newport) and Local Ocean Seafoods (Newport).

Food is served as appetizers in a smorgasbord style, although there is nothing small about the pure enormity of edibles available. “No one goes home without being really satisfied,” says A.T. Ronan, OCCC Foundation Executive Director and Development Director for the college.

Stylishness and sparkling elegance are the other key elements here, with the aquarium taking on a distinctively different atmosphere at night. The tanks create a dreamy glow, and other specialized lighting augments and spices up the experience. The tables are elaborately decorated and live music plays in the background, changing from room to room. While formal dress isn’t required, attendees often show up in black ties and pearls, making this THE to-do event of the year for the central Oregon coast.

“There are surprises around every corner and in every gallery of the Oregon Coast Aquarium like amazing musicians, tempting desserts paired with coffee, and other foods, like clam chowder,” said Mike Downing, a local chef and key organizer in the event. “Plus, there are fine Oregon wines and microbrews to purchase. It’s a magical evening that is guaranteed to stir your sense of excitement and pleasure.”

The award trophies given at the end of the night are highly coveted art pieces in themselves: stunning blown-glass oyster shells that are lighted from underneath.

There is also a raffle to win one of 20 gift baskets, each containing pearls. Raffle tickets are $25 each.

In a separate contest, event tickets purchased by October 18 will be entered into a drawing for a private tour of the Willamette Valley Vineyards for ten people

“Because of our talented, creative chefs and their restaurants and our many sponsors, event contributors and attendees, the Oyster Cloyster event has netted over $127,000 over the last five years,” said Ronan. “Funds raised are primarily dedicated to the OCCC Aquarium Science program, now in its fourth year.”

Ronan said about 400 people attended the 2005 event.

Live music this year includes Langlois bagpiper Donna Futrell greeting attendees in the courtyard, local jazz artists Patty and Brian Egan in the lobby, the Equadoran and Andean sounds of local group Chayag, singer/guitarist Tony Holly, the unique jazz-like stylings of group The Pieces of Eight and the hammer dulcimer of Brent Bunker.

Tickets are now on sale for Oyster Cloyster at $62.50 each or $125 for two. Ticket price at the door will be $75. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Oregon Coast Aquarium, Bank of the West branches in Yachats, Toledo, Siletz, Newport and Lincoln City; Hatfield Marine Science Center in South Beach; Chuck's Video in Waldport; J.C. Market in Newport; Newport Performing Arts Center; Flying Dutchman Winery in Otter Rock; Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau, and Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce.

Call the Oyster Cloyster hotline at 541 574-7141 or 574-7131. Tickets can also be ordered through the college’s website at www.occc.cc.or.us/oystercloyster.

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