Former Champions

2022

 

2022 was an amazing year and ushered in the return of the Marlene Dowdle Memorial Tournament. I reached out to our new Champion Melinda Drake who had a great overall time of 1.31.97 so that we can get to know 2022’s Champ:

I started working for Diana’s Oyster Bar 13 years, but only really started shucking in the last 4 years. Seafood is in my blood. My father was a true Newfoundlander, I’ve grown up with a passion for all aspects of seafood and sea life. I only started competing this year but at the Ontario Oyster Festival in July I was the fastest off the table with 18 oysters in a minute and 37 seconds. in Tyne Valley in August I was 9th over all.

Then this one of course, The Marlene Memorial 2nd fastest over all with 56 seconds 12 oysters earning 5th place overall.

Thank you again to the Dowdle family for this female competition!

Melinda

2019

Opel started her oyster shucking journey from Diana’s Oyster Bar and Grill. Her mentor Phil Ho, a reputable fast shucker shared his extensive knowledge of oysters from species to taste profile, oyster anatomy to wine pairing, environmental impact of oyster and fast shucking techniques. The book “Consider the Oyster” by Champion Shucker Patrick McMurray inspired Opel to explore “the Merrior” of Oysters where subsequent road trips to visit oyster farms were planned and the experiences enhanced endless passionate conversations. Strangers become good friends for the love of oysters. Opel attended Bytown Oyster Shucking Competition, Rodney’s Ontario Shucking Competitions, Boston Seafood Festival shucking competition, The Céilí Cottage St Patrick’s Day Shucking Competitions, and Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking Competition. Opel enjoys traveling, good food, hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, snowboarding, reading and good conversations. Skydiving from 12,000 feet has made Opel courageous and positive. It is an honour to be the Marlene Dowdle Memorial 2019 Fastest Shucker. Tremendous gratitude to the Dowdle Family to raise awareness and recognize female in the oyster industry in memory of Marlene. Marlene will continue to inspire and encourage! May the oyster industry thrive! Eat Oysters, fight climate change!
– Opel

2018

2018 had our very first two-time Champion for the Marlene Dowdle Memorial Tournament is none other than Melissa Somers. With penalties her time this year was 1.27.09 which is an improvement over her time last year of 1.36.55.

 

Last year, I reached out to Melissa after the tournament for a bit of information so that we can get to know the very first winner such as how she got started and her experience in shucking….

I moved to Toronto in 2002 and got a job as a hostess at Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill owned by Patrick and Alison MacMurray. After a few months I started going in early for my shifts to learn how to shuck and was taught by not only Patrick but also by another top notch oyster shucker, Lawrence David. Imagine- an island girl learning how to shuck in Toronto!

I started competing by entering the Ontario competition at Rodney’s- determined, at the very least, not to place last. Since then I’ve always had a great time shucking and competing. It’s so much fun socializing with people at various gigs and competitions. Patrick used to tell me during my shifts at Starfish that I’d be a faster shucker if I would be quiet for a minute!!

In 2015 I placed 5th at the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championships and won the Joe Labobe award for the top PEI shucker. I had the unique opportunity to shuck oysters for Duke and Duchess, Will and Kate when they visited PEI in 2011.

I’ve been competing in the Shellfish Festival Raspberry Point competition for about 5 years and was so honoured this year to take home the Marlene Dowdle Memorial award for the fastest female shucker. It always makes my heart beat a little faster when I see I’m up against women like Phyllis Carr or Janet Hardy Callaghan!

To the Dowdle family, what a beautiful way to remember your wife and mother.

Keep on shuckin’!

– Melissa

2017

The very first Champion for the Marlene Dowdle Memorial Tournament is none other than Melissa Somers. With penalties her time was 1.36.55. Below is a picture of her and Chef Chuck Hughes holding the trophy and keeper piece.


I reached out to Melissa after the tournament for a bit of information so that we can get to know the very first winner such as how she got started and her experience in shucking….

I moved to Toronto in 2002 and got a job as a hostess at Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill owned by Patrick and Alison MacMurray. After a few months I started going in early for my shifts to learn how to shuck and was taught by not only Patrick but also by another top notch oyster shucker, Lawrence David. Imagine- an island girl learning how to shuck in Toronto!

I started competing by entering the Ontario competition at Rodney’s- determined, at the very least, not to place last. Since then I’ve always had a great time shucking and competing. It’s so much fun socializing with people at various gigs and competitions. Patrick used to tell me during my shifts at Starfish that I’d be a faster shucker if I would be quiet for a minute!!

In 2015 I placed 5th at the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championships and won the Joe Labobe award for the top PEI shucker. I had the unique opportunity to shuck oysters for Duke and Duchess, Will and Kate when they visited PEI in 2011.

I’ve been competing in the Shellfish Festival Raspberry Point competition for about 5 years and was so honoured this year to take home the Marlene Dowdle Memorial award for the fastest female shucker. It always makes my heart beat a little faster when I see I’m up against women like Phyllis Carr or Janet Hardy Callaghan!

To the Dowdle family, what a beautiful way to remember your wife and mother.

Keep on shuckin’!

– Melissa