Oyster Shucking Workshop
Do you like to eat oysters but are intimidated by opening them?
Have you tried opening oysters but struggled?
Do you want to meet an oyster farmer?
Looking for an evening activity to try something different?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, maybe you would like to attend one of our oyster shucking workshops. The term “shucking” refers to the method of prying open the top shell of the oyster.
New York Sea Grant’s Aquaculture Specialist will lead these workshops with an oyster farmer. The goal of these workshops is to provide an opportunity for people to meet an oyster farmer and get some training and practice opening oysters. Many people enjoy eating oysters but find it too challenging to eat raw oysters at home. This workshop aims to reduce those challenges. It will also increase engagement between local community members and the Long Island oyster farmers so acquiring fresh oysters is always possible. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the aquaculture industry and ask the farmer and the specialist anything you are curious about.
Each workshop is expected to last about 1.5 – 2 hours. These workshops are limited to participants that register and pay in advance. The size of the workshops is small so they may fill up quickly, but we will maintain a waiting list for those that want to attend one in the future.
The cost of the workshop is $70 per participant. Additional observers (e.g. significant others or friends) are free to attend as space allows. It will include an oyster shucking knife, protective gloves, an insulated tote bag, at least a dozen oysters to be opened during the workshop, and various seafood related resources. Below is an image of these items.
The next scheduled workshop is:
Date: February 27, 2026 from 5-7pm
Location: North Fork Brewery in Riverhead
Farmer: Matt Ketcham from Peconic Gold Oysters
Space is limited!
If you would like to join the waiting list for upcoming workshops, you will be notified when the next one is scheduled once the registration is open. If you are unable to attend that one, you may remain on the waiting list.
If you have any questions or are a business or restaurant interested in hosting a workshop, please reach out via email to aquaculture@cornell.edu with “Oyster Shucking Workshop” in the subject line.
