Note: Unfortunately, the organisers of Oyster Gardens announced on Wednesday, October 14 that the event will be postponed to 2021 "due to Covid-19 related complications". We'll keep you posted on when it's back and running.
With New South Wales' bevy of fresh, local produce, it's a marvel we ever look beyond our shores for culinary delights. Now, a new two-day event setting up along the glittering Sydney Harbour foreshore hones in on the specific beauty of the Sydney Rock oyster.
Oyster Gardens is set to be a whole shebang, with your entry ticket entitling you to two dozen oysters each. There'll also be live music, and in-depth oyster tasting sessions where you can learn from some of the country's best oyster farmers exactly what makes these bivalves so damn tasty. In addition to the bounty of oysters, your ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine, warm Sonoma bread, and a platter of local NSW cheeses. Take a spin at a lawn game on the grassy forecourt, or sip on paired wines (available to purchase) which accentuate the flavours of the oysters, while you sit back on the Fleet Steps in the Royal Botanic Gardens and take in the scenery over the harbour as the sun sets.
Tickets start at $270 per person, and you can purchase them in tables of six. It's set to be a completely Covid-Safe event, with strict hygiene protocols and guest numbers capped at 300 per session. Book in for the lunch session (2-5pm) or the dinner session (7-10pm) on either of Saturday, November 21 or Sunday, November 22.