It takes place from 11th to 14th October this year and is one of Cornwall's biggest and best-loved specialist food festivals. Almost as unique as the fishing tradition it celebrates, the festival embraces wonderful community spirit and receives generous backing from a variety of Cornwall's businesses and individuals.

Organised by Falmouth Festivals Limited, Falmouth Oyster Festival receives significant support from its partners including Skinners Brewery and South West Bars and its main sponsor St Michael's Hotel and Spa who also host the oyster bar, where the oyster shuckers work tirelessly opening thousands of native oysters over the four days of the festival.

Central to the festival are the cookery demonstrations provided by leading chefs, supported by their respective hotels and restaurants from across Cornwall, who enthusiastically share their culinary skills and cooking tips. Presenters from Source FM will provide the commentary for the cookery demonstrations, the oyster shucking competition and the hot chef challenge, contributing skilful humour and flair on the stage. Seafood experts Annie Sibert, My Fish Kitchen and Matt Slater, Cornwall Wildlife Trust share their passion for all things fishy, demonstrating filleting and cooking fish and highlighting the great variety of local seafood.

And last but by no means least, Betty Stogs, Queen of Cornish Ales and the infamous Falmouth Marine Band, who have become an integral part of the festival, provide unique and memorable entertainment for visitors whilst raising significant funds for local charity.

For details of the festival programme and further information please visit www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk, join us on Facebook 'Falmouth Oyster Festival' or follow us on Twitter @FalOysterFest.

Did you know?

Governed by ancient laws that were put in place to protect the natural ecology of the riverbeds and oyster stocks, oystermen fishing in the Port of Truro Oyster Fishery are prohibited from using engines. Instead, sail power and hand-pulled dredges must be used. This is the only oyster fishery in Europe, if not the world, where such traditional methods must be used.