It’s Oyster O’Clock in Brighton this month so bag a seafood snack and raise a glass at the BITE Brighton Oyster festival this June
- Nick Mosley
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
This article first appeared in The Argus.
With the BITE Brighton Oyster Festival starting on Friday 19 June, Steve Holloway talks to BITE Sussex co-founder Nathalie Gomez de Vera about this year’s event line-up.
From Friday 19 to Sunday 28 June, premium hospitality venues across central Brighton and Hove will be each serving up one-off £15 menus featuring an oyster snack – whether freshly shucked or cooked Rockefeller or tempura style – alongside a choice of either sparkling wine, cocktail or mocktail.
“Throughout the week, seafood lovers can curate their own oyster and drink trails from Stem in Palmeira Square to Cecconi’s on Madeira Drive”, said Nathalie Gomez de Vera, co-director of BITE Sussex.
“It’s a leisurely affair – and you don’t need to buy tickets in advance – simply ask for the £15 festival menu and pull up a seat. We do however recommend you book ahead on weekend evenings, particularly if you’re in a larger group as seats may be limited”.
Having worked as part of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival team for many years – and co-founding the spin-off organisation, BITE Sussex – Nathalie has more knowledge and experience than most when it comes to food, drink and visitor economy events and activations.
“We’ve had a few people question why we’ve chosen June for this year’s Oyster Festival”, said Nathalie.
“Firstly, with oysters there’s a historical myth that these bivalves can only be eaten when there is an ‘R’ in the month. That’s still true when it comes to wild oysters and is certainly a mantra that served our ancestors well in the past – protecting diners from spoiled seafood whilst also allowing the creatures time to reproduce during their annual summer spawning season in European waters”.
“However, nowadays restaurants and fishmongers only serve farmed oysters that utilise modern aquaculture practices and very strict monitoring and regulation. There’s a lot more to find out about oysters throughout the festival including at the Oyster Shucking Competition at English’s of Brighton on Sunday 28 June – if you’ve questions then ask our experts”.
Nathalie also commented on why this year’s BITE Brighton Oyster Festival is running in June, traditionally one of the quieter mid-season months for visitors to the city.
“We sometimes make a bit of a rod for our own backs when it comes to selecting the months when we host our BITE events”, said Nathalie.
“It would be far easier to cherry pick key dates over the summer when the sun is shining and there’s already plenty of visitor footfall to the city and surrounding county”.
“But its our preference to deliver our BITE events in either the quieter shoulder season at the start or end of the year, or pick a month such as – in this case – June that sits between Easter and the May arts festival, and the summer holidays”.
“Those are the months when our friends and colleagues in hospitality and wider tourism need a little extra push to put bums on seats and heads in beds. It makes our activations more impactful when it comes to building economic resilience across the Sussex farm – and fish – to fork eco-system”.
I asked if there were any events that Nathalie was particularly looking forward to?
“Other than having a wander around some of the best restaurants in Brighton for the £15 deal, I’m always passionate about our evening charity events as – I think – that’s when the most talented chefs, creative bartenders and interesting wine and spirit producers come out to play and work together for one night only in some of the coolest venues in town”.
“On Thursday 25 June, we’re back with our friends at SEA LIFE Brighton – the world’s oldest operating aquarium and one of the most spectacular examples of Victorian architecture – for Cocktails and Canapés Under the Sea”.
“As you explore the aquarium at your own pace, we’ve an amazing line-up of six mixologists, six chefs and six spirit brands collaborating on matched cocktails and canapés including Aluna Rum, Blossoms, Bohemia, Boho Gelato, Brighton Gin, Burger & Lobster, Cecconi’s at Brighton Beach House, Clementine & Co, DedBest Distillery, Devil’s Dyke Distillery, Easy Tiger, English’s of Brighton, Gin 1689, Lost in the Lanes, Nostos, Ramsbury Distillery and The Bar at No 124 by Guesthouse”.
“And as long term supporters of the Brighton Toy and Model Museum under Brighton Station, we’ll be working with local vineyards and restaurants for a ‘Sparkling Sussex Soirée’ on the evening of Saturday 27 June to support the museum and their Trafalgar Street Regeneration Project that has completely revitalised the North Laine gateway welcoming visitors and locals alike”.
“Everyone has donated their time and resources so we can donate 100% of profits from those events to the independent SEA LIFE Trust and the Toy Museum charities, with all monies from the sale of oysters – sponsored by Burger & Lobster and hosted by English’s of Brighton – at the Oyster Shucking Competition on Sunday 28 June donated to Martlet’s hospice”.
For a full list of participating venues and events visit www.bitesussex.com.