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Food & Drink

15th Annual Grand Central Oyster Frenzy Saturday, September 16

September 16, 2026 New York, NY

About this festival

The 15th Annual ?Grand Central Oyster Frenzy? is set for Saturday, September 16, at the Grand Central Oyster Bar (lower level, Grand Central Terminal) in New York City from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. It will be an all-day Frenzy; a bivalve bonanza! Chef demonstrations by talented chefs, various competitions open to the public, sixteen varieties of oysters ? eight each from the East and West coasts ? six championship wines ? including the ?Grand Champion? to be selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges ? and the top professional oyster shuckers on the planet vying for prize money will be among the highlights. The Oyster Bar-s executive chef Sandy Ingber (a.k.a. Bishop of Bivalves), president Janet Poccia, vice president Mohammed Lawal, and general manager Frank Botta will oversee the festivities now well into its second decade. Leading chefs who will showcase their culinary wizardry in demonstrations that include public tastings. The Oyster Bar-s own pastry chef Januz Noka, will be joined by Aaron Bashy from Maloney & Porcelli and renowned food writer David Rosengarten with masterful concoctions to share with attendees. Patrons will be able to enjoy the frenzy which includes the ?Slurp off? competitive eating competition (whoever slurps 10 oysters in the fastest time) and the ?Beer Shucking? competition (the fastest to open all bottles of a case of beer is declared winner), celebrity chef demos and the highlight of the day-long festivities, the professional shucking championships. The Grand Central Oyster Bar is open for lunch at 11:30 AM, and the last dinner reservation at 10:00 PM (every day except Sunday) For reservations call 212-490-6650, and for more information visit www.oysterbarny.com.