THE first day of the Falmouth Oyster Festival 2023 kicked off this morning with a special performance from Will Keating and pupils from Falmouth Primary School. 

Following the performance, Guy Owen, award-winning chef from The St Enodoc Hotel, Rock, officially opened the festival with a cookery demonstration. 

Born and bred in Cornwall, Guy started his career in kitchens around Cornwall. His first experience of Michelin-starred cooking came with Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, he went on to work at one Michelin-starred La Trompette and 2 Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park before returning to Cornwall in 2020. 

Then David Waters, Head Chef, Hotel Meudon joined the festival for the first time. Born and raised in Cornwall, David’s passion for locally sourced ingredients is evident in his culinary creations.  Nick Hemming, Chef Owner of The Heron Inn, Malpas will this year be joined by Ed Hughes, Beer Sommelier, from Sharp's Brewery. 

And finally, in the late afternoon, Jasmine Sharma from Daaku, Falmouth will share her passion for mixing ancient and modern techniques of Indian cuisine.

You can view our pictures from the opening in the gallery at the top of this article. 

Tomorrow, Cornwall College team Nick Batten and Ashley Carkeet, guarantee a masterclass in cookery demonstration skills and Nick Hodges returns in the afternoon. Head Chef at The Greenbank Hotel, Nick has been delivering demonstrations at the Oyster Festival since day one. 

A firm believer in simple and stylish dishes, Nick has garnered press recognition and accolades for his delicious, seasonal creations.  Late afternoon Jude Kereama, Chef Owner of Kota and Kota Kai, Porthleven will share his culinary secrets. 

One of the county’s favourite chefs, his restaurant Kota proudly holds three AA rosettes and has been named Restaurant of the Year in the Cornwall Life Food and Drink Awards.

The festival brings together a blend of esteemed local chefs, hardworking oyster fishermen, food and drink enthusiasts and an eclectic mix of musicians, all in celebration of the start of Falmouth’s unique oyster fishery season.  Organisers have said each day will offer a packed programme of culinary activity, Cornish seafood, and live music entertainment.