Taking place on Wednesday, 9 July 2008, the Mardi Gras - presented by Tabasco and South African Chef's Association, Garden Route - will find 600 festival goers partaking in 18,250 Oysters while tasting 500 litres of wines at this event, being held the Heineken Pavilion at Loerie Park.
Last year, R70,000 was raised for charity, with the aim this year to push the mark up to R90,000. With funds raised, Knysna Child Welfare was able to arrange a five-day foster care camp for 30 children, funded the “Eye on a child” project and contributed towards play therapy for the children. The Bill Gallagher Development fund put 10 previously disadvantaged students through a one year introductory culinary course to the hospitality industry. The designated charities this year will remain the Knysna Child Welfare, the Bill Gallagher Development Fund and the inclusion of the Knysna Sea Cadets. SACA, Garden Route will also allocate funds for disaster relief in the area.
This year will be the 17th event in the 25 years of the Oyster Festival. Previously called the Oyster Cooking Competition, this event has grown in popularity over the years; having started out as a small event in 1991, consisting of five stands and attended by 30 intrepid patrons, it has now grown to 46 stands attended by 600 people.
In 2004, an 25,000 oysters were consumed on one night by 1,000 attendees. Organisers agreed that there were no venues in Knysna to accommodate such a huge number and ticket sales were limited from then on to only 600.
The general theme of Tastes, Colours and Textures will apply, offering patrons a smorgasbord of Oysters, finger licking foods from Pick n Pay “Fresh” Experience (Snack platters, Fresh Cheese and Preserves Platters, Charcuterie Platters, Smoked Salmon, Mezze Platters, Crusty Breads and Chocolate Brownies as dessert), Glüwein, fine brandies, gourmet coffees and much, much more. Master of Ceremonies and celebrity comedian, Dave Levinson will run with the evening's proceedings while local band, One Night Stand will rock the night away.
