Pop Up Gatherings - since October 2009
Fal Oyster Gathering - Out of Stock! March 2017 March 08 2017
We are sorry to confirm the annual Fal Oyster Gathering in March 2017 has been cancelled due to critically low stock levels on the fishery!
The Pop Up Gathering on the last weekend of the oyster season has been running since 2010, but due to a very low yield on the fishery this season it has been unviable for crew and even more difficult for merchants.
Research shows that the Fal has between 0.4 and 0.7 oysters per square metre! 400-600 hectares, some dense and some sparse, average 57mm and only 26% were over 65mm.
The previous Minimum Landing Size of 2" 5/8 hasn't changed since 1926 and allows 2-3yr old oysters to be legal, but the new 67mm MLS is "its longest rather than shortest length" so possibly even younger oysters !
Native oysters have barely reached maturity until 4yr - so an 80mm MLS would be better for fishermen and better for merchants... now it has come to light that it is critical for the future stock of the unique Fal Oyster Fishery
for more info please email mls@cornishnativeoysters.co.uk
#ShellfishBRUT - Crinnis, Carlyon Beach, St Austell - Summer 2015 May 21 2015
MEDIA INFORMATION 19/05/15
The second ‘pop up’ experience arrives at Carlyon Bay this weekend (Sat May 23rd) with Pop Up Gatherings setting up an oyster shack and wine bar on Crinnis Beach.
The fully licensed restaurant and bar Ostraca will be open for a week from Saturday for the bank holiday and school half term with seating for eight inside which can be reserved (www.ostraca.co.uk) or alternatively, visitors can pop up and eat and drink al fresco on the decking or at the large tables facing the bay.
Director of Fal Oyster Ltd, Chris Ranger, said he was excited about being the first 2015 Carlyon pop up, following the return of the popular venue Sam’s @ The Bay who arrived on site last year.
“It’s a stunning location and we hope that lots of people will come down to sample our menu,” he said. “We know every producer we work with personally and will be offering a selection of local goodies including Porthilly Rock oysters, Cornish sardines, Cornish scallops, Cornish crab and Cornish salad, Baker Tom cakes, Tregothnan teas, Fal Oyster Stout, beers ciders and as the 1st Official Camel Valley Wine Bar the solar powered fridge will be stocked with 'Cornish Champagne' see #ShellfishBRUT
“If it’s successful, we would love to return for the summer season and be part of this fantastic development.”
Cornish Native Oysters was set up in 2009 and evolved in to Fal Oyster Ltd, which was launched in 2012, by local fisherman Chris Ranger. Ranger bought the Alf Smythers in 2008 and decided there was a future in the sustainable gathering of the wild native oysters found on the riverbed of the Fal Estuary - famed for their distinctive sweet, fresh and delicate flavour. The Fal Oysters have been harvested in the same highly sustainable fashion without the use of mechanical power for more than 500 years, but sadly natives are only available September to April so we source the best farmed oysters 'Porthilly Rocks' during the summer.
Jacky Swain, site manager for Commercial Estates Group, said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome the first of what we expect will be many other attractions to our site. I hope everyone will come down and try some of the delights on offer. We are currently talking to a number of other organisations with the aim of creating a hub of activity down here for local people and holidaymakers to enjoy.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact Michelle Sammons, Communications Consultant, Tel 07767 810481 or email michelle.sammons@carlyonbeach.com
Cornish Native Produce at Fal Oyster Gathering 2015 March 19 2015
We are showcasing the four soon five Protected Food Names and also showing the Feast Films, so we hope to put on the finest spread of food and drink from the counties top producers...
Ok so its quite a list, and still growing... some of the top produce you can enjoy at our event:
Fal Oysters, Porthilly Rocks, Cornish Mussels, Cornish Sardines, Cornish Scallops, Cornish Crab...
Camel Valley Wines, Rebel Brewing Co, Skinners Brewing Co, Cornish Cider Co, Tres Hombres RUM, Grandma's Weapons Grade Ginger Beer, Keltic Ale, Polgoon Orchards...
Baker Tom, Portreath Bakery Cornish Pasty's, GrumPies, Lynher Dairies, Chocolarder, Cornish Seaweed, Furniss Biscuits, Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream...
Tregothnan Tea, Olfactory Coffee, Karenza Arval Apple Juices, Just Water...
to be continued...
Cornwall's Protected Food Names (and soon Drink) in bold
Any Resemblance Film producers in italics
6th Fal Oyster Gathering 27-29th March 2015 #FalmouthForOysters March 06 2015
Press Release
#FalOysterGathering2015
Friday 27 - Sunday 29 March at Prince of Wales Pier Falmouth
Program coming soon... Headline act confirmed: Rosie & The Goldbug on Saturday Evening 2100hrs
With the aim of celebrating the end of the native oyster season, the last weekend in March (and the beginning of the Easter holidays!) the Prince of Wales Pier plays host to the Fal Oyster Gathering. After a hard 6 months of fishing for oysters on the water of the Carrick Roads, the fisherman prepare to hang up their oilskins for the summer, but not before a good old knees-up!
The Fal Oyster Gathering is a fantastic opportunity to delight in the freshest native Fal Oysters....and don't panic! If oysters don't happen to whet your apatite, this festival has a veritable feast of local Cornish produce on offer that will be sure to hit the spot!
As well as an 'au naturel' Fal Oyster Bar, the gathering will feature oysters in all guises to tempt the the taste buds of the visitors. If the thought of a raw oyster sends shivers down your spine, then perhaps you will be tempted by oyster & pork stuffing on bruschetta? Or a tempura oyster with wasabi mayo, that turns the oyster into an almost fish & chip shop affair. Proof that a cooked oyster has to be tried.
Both local and national chefs will be working their magic in the kitchen to bring you a menu of the best seasonal produce that Cornwall has to offer.
For gathering organiser, local oyster fisherman and merchant Christopher Ranger, it's all about the 'Terroir'. " You get a real sense of place when you eat these Fal Oysters. They have played a huge part in the history of the Carrick Roads, for them to still be fished under sail and in a conservation area makes them like no other oyster." A reason why the Fal Oyster has been given it's own Protected Designation of Origin along with only 3 other foods in Cornwall, The Cornish Pasty, Cornish Clotted Cream, & Cornish Sardines.
So pop to the bar and drink up the fantastic atmosphere that the Fal Oyster Gathering has to offer......
Ostraca Pop Up Venue - for hire!
Next @PopUpFineDining event dates:
Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth
Friday 27th - Sunday 29th March
Cupid's Pop Up 14-20th February 2015 March 02 2015
Please pop up and say hello, we have Rebel Ales for him and Camel Valley Wines for her! We are over by the tennis courts opposite St Michaels Hotel and Spa, Gyllingvase Beach, Falmouth 10am til 10pm...
... if nothing else worked, try Fal Oysters, au naturel or cooked, that should work Cupid ;)
You Shellfish BRUT November 18 2014
Cornish Shellfish & Camel Valley BRUT on Truro Piazza 21-23rd November 2014
We are pleased to announce that OSTRACA.co.uk, the Fal Oyster pop-up restaurant and bar, will be coming to Truro Piazza this weekend! Not only will our own wild, sail gathered, Fal Oysters be on the menu, but also a feast of Cornish seafoods to keep you sustained whilst your Christmas shopping.
We will have a hearty menu of Steamed Mussels, Mylor Prawns and Tempura Battered Porthilly Oysters with Wasabi mayo (our star of the show at the Fal Oyster Fringe Festival!) for you to feast on. This year we have partnered up with Camel Valley Wines, the award-winning Vineyard from Bodmin, so why not get into the Cornish Christmas cheer with a glass of Camel Valley sparkling wine and a dozen fresh Fal Oysters.
There is also something for the beer lovers amongst you, as we will be serving Rebel Brewery Co. 3rd edition Fal Oyster Stout. Both the Fal Oysters and the shell go into the boil for this very special beer, giving it a fresh and light taste which is only available whilst the native Fal Oysters are in season.
We will be open all day from 10am-10pm Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November, so make sure you come on down to sample some of our delights (shellfish) before buying them for everyone else (not selfish!)
In the evenings, the Cornish Chefs Club: Steve Marsh head chef at the Greenbank Hotel Falmouth, Ben Prior from Ben's Cornish Kitchen and Adrian Oliver from Margot's in Padstow will be offering a unique 10 seater fine-dining experience on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
Finally, sign up to newsletter at the bottom of our home page and we will keep you posted about our OSTRACA Box (and Pop Up Gatherings) for these unique fine dining events in special locations around Cornwall. You will also be sent a code to claim the 10% OFF discount we are offering this weekend for Christmas or New Years Eve Fal Oysters & Camel Valley Brut!
Fal Oyster Wink - Thursday 9th til Sunday 12th October 2014 September 17 2014
Breaking news...
The 6th Fal Oyster Wink is confirmed for Falmouth Oyster Festival weekend and as always we will pop up outside The 'Front Bar thanks to Matt for his continued support, Sophi at The Watermens, Chris at Trago and Barry at Falmouth Haven!
This year we will be showcasing our unique pop up restaurant and bar, converted from a 20ft shipping container and fully fitted with an EHO approved kitchen so we can do all sorts of cooked oysters and shellfish...
Thursday's guest chef is: Mark Apsey from the Idle Rocks St Mawes - Fal Oyster with Raspberry & Horseradish
Friday's guest chef is: Stephen Marsh from The Greenbank Falmouth - Fal Oyster Soup & Stout Bread
Saturday's guest chef is:TBA
Sunday's guest chef is:TBA
We have always sold Camel Valley Cornish BRUT and this year we will have unique flutes to celebrate the collaboration with the Lindo family, so you can enjoy the award winning sparkling wine by the glass!
Fal Oyster Stout 3rd edition is in the pipeline... draft available over the festival weekend at The Front and other Falmouth Oyster Fringe participating venues... Hand Beer Bar, Seven Stars on the Moor, Royal Standard Flushing...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Front-Falmouth/313127715440183?ref=stream
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddlywink
Kiddlywink (sometimes spelt kiddleywink) is an old name for a Cornish beer shop or beer house, which became popular after the 1830 beer act. They were licensed to sell beer or cider by the Customs & Excise rather than by a Magistrate's License which was required by traditional Taverns and Inns. They were reputed to be the haunts of smugglers and often had an unmarked bottle of spirits under the counter. Farm labourers could receive beer instead of their wages.
