Oyster opening is not for the beginner. To open 30 oysters in the shortest possible time, without bloodshed, and present them in an attractive way on a tray in front of the critical eyes of the jury is great art. This was excellently demonstrated last year by Hasse Johannesson, the ruling Nordic Champion in oyster opening. Whether he can repeat his achievement remains to be seen, but Hasse faces tough opposition and hard oysters to open.

The number of competitors is limited to 20, and invitations have been sent to the three best oyster openers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland respectively. A limited number of ‘wild cards’ with qualifications from previous accomplishments in international competitions are also invited.

The best contestants from the qualifying rounds are entered into two semi-finals, from which the four with the best times go through to the final. The winner is the person with the best combined time.

The jury includes, among others, Alexandra Zazzi, known from both TV and newspapers in Sweden, and Eyvind Hellström from the gourmet restaurant Bagatelle in Oslo. The other members of the jury are Rikard Nilsson (Chef of the Year 1991), Franck Bertrand, head chef of five years at Tanums Gestgifveri, and Göran Hansson, owner of Grebbestadsfisk Partihandel.

The fishing village Grebbestad
In Grebbestad most of the action takes place by the harbour and along the 200-metre long quay. Many of the town’s picturesque old buildings have been retained and the best way to appreciate them is to take a walk through the winding narrow streets above the harbour. From the quay there are views across the islands and to Otterön Island with its protected orchid meadows. Of course Grebbestad is also famous for its shellfish.

Fine shellfish deserves something fine to wash it down with and in the old cannery in the middle of Grebbestad a family-owned brewery, called Grebbestads Bryggeri, makes beer using the traditional Bohuslän method, in large, beautiful copper tanks. In 2002, the brewery developed a Lobster Beer for the start of the lobster season. Grebbestad is also home to the Oyster Academy and fresh oysters are sold from a quayside kiosk during high season. Also on the quay is the popular shellfish restaurant, Greby’s. Many fishing trips depart from the quay, or you can hire a canoe and discover the archipelago on your own.