NEWPORT, Ore. - The 9th Annual Oyster Cloyster Festival on the Oregon Coast will be held on Saturday, November 7.  Once again, the event will appropriately be hosted at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
 
“This is a not to be missed culinary extravaganza filled with sophisticated fun“, said Patsy Buford, event chairman. “ We have many loyal fans who come back year after year to see what new and exciting taste temptations the chefs have created from one of Oregon’s freshest products: oysters!”
 
A dozen chefs have registered to participate and to serve over 7,000 oysters at this unique event aimed to please the most discriminating palate. This year’s returning restaurants include: The Pelican Pub and Brewery in Pacific City, Spirit Mountain Casino, Chinook Winds Casino Resort, Local Ocean, The Seafood School in Astoria, Rogues Brewer’s on the Bay, Shilo Restaurant, and La Maison.  Plus Kendra Hall, a past Oyster Cloyster winner will be returning after a hiatus of several years. Chef Hall now owns the Three Capes Café in Netarts.   The Oyster Cloyster also welcomes two new restaurants, the Mist at Surf Tides in Lincoln City and Bay 839 in Newport. 

 
A sampling from last year’s entries included: Hoisin Braised Yaquina Bay Oyster Wonton, Coriander Corn Flour Pan Fried Willapa Bay Oyster with Coconut Cream Reduction & Cilantro Oil, Smoked Oyster Cassoulet with Pan Fried Oyster “Crust,” Bronze Pappadew Oyster with Peri-Peri Salsa, East meets West- Fusion Barbequed Oysters, Faloyster, Sautéed Puerto Rican Style Oysters with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Chanterelle Butter Sauce, Oyster Stew in a Bread Basket, Enchiladas de Ostiones Pipian with Oyster Jell-O Shooter, Florentine Oyster Dumplings with Black Truffles, Oysters Umami, Cajun Smoked w/ Pico Oyster, and Caribbean Creole Oyster Shooter.
 
This year’s entertainment will spotlight two popular jazz groups - Perpetua and Hot Club de Jour, as well as the Andean folk music of a returning group called Chayg.  Participants will also receive the Oyster Cloyster traditional welcome by bagpiper, Donna Futrell-Baker.  In addition to being an elegant evening of fine food, wine and microbrews; coffee and dessert, complimented by live music, the Oyster Cloyster is also the major benefit for the OCCC Foundation and the OCCC Aquarium Science program, now in its sixth year. 
 
“Because of our generous sponsors and loyal patrons we have raised over $200,000 for Oregon Coast Community College from this event,” said A.T. Ronan, Executive Director of the Foundation.                     
 
Tickets ($65 each or two for $125) to the benefit event can be purchased by calling the Oyster Loyster hotline at (541) 867-8541, through the college Web site or at the following locations:

• OCCC campuses in Newport or Lincoln City
• Oregon Coast Aquarium
• Bank of the West branches in Yachats, Toledo, Siletz, Newport and Lincoln City
• TLC Federal Credit Union branches in Newport and Lincoln City
• The Hatfield Marine Science Center in South Beach
• Chuck's Video in Waldport
• J.C. Market in Newport
• Newport Performing Arts Center
• Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau
• Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce.

Andre' Hagestedt is the editor of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, a travel news and entertainment Web site about the upper half of Oregon’s coast. He has been a journalist for nearly 15 years, having been employed at or written for a variety of media organizations throughout the Northwest. He lives in Portland and in Manzanita part time, and admits he is "so obsessed with the Oregon coast that it's ready to take a restraining order out on him."