WELLFLEET — The addition of two big screens brought the Bakers Field crowd closer than ever to the action on the stage at the finals of this year’s OysterFest Shuck Off — SPAT’s 22nd. Each one of the 11 contestants started with 26 oysters. They then each rejected two that somehow looked especially recalcitrant — a decision that depends on the shucker’s approach to the oyster, said SPAT board president Nancy O’Connell.
The competitors showed off their style as they organized their oysters prior to the start. Kenny Chea, a Rhode Island oysterman, lined his up with precision. Ben Morgan of Eastham, who does some professional shucking in Provincetown, leaned his against each other, building a kind of staircase set up. Calen Bricault of Wellfleet, who works at Mac’s Seafood, just threw his into a pile. Whatever works: he ended up taking first prize in the competition.
