B&G Oysters Kicks off Summer Patio Season on Sunday, May 6, 2012

4th Annual Oyster Invitational

Tickets on Sale Beginning Friday, April 6th at 11am

B&G Oysters is gathering chefs, shuckers, and bivalve lovers for its fourth annual Oyster Invitational on Sunday, May 6th from 1pm - 6pm. The B&G team will be joined by several local restaurants including Neptune Oyster, Erbaluce, Uni, and Orinoco for a number of friendly (and tasty) competitions with oysters provided by favorites including Matunuck Oyster Farm, Salt Pond Oysters, and Blue Island Shellfish (rumor has it the Naked Cowboy may even make an appearance!). Each oyster company will be paired with two restaurants who will vie for best dish. Guests will determine each duo's winning dish as well as Best Raw Oyster and Best Overall Dish and are encouraged to come hungry and ready to vote! Meanwhile, speed and skill will be on display throughout the afternoon with shucking contests between the restaurants and oyster farmers culminating in a final shuck off at the end of the event.

In addition to oysters, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of non-bivalve bites including hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, and fried calamari, and quench their thirst with beer from Harpoon Brewery
and a selection of oyster-friendly wines.

WHAT: Tickets for the Oyster Invitational will go on sale Friday, April 6th at 11am and will be available by calling (617.423.0550) or visiting B&G Oysters. Please note that all tickets must be purchased in
advance and that guests must be 21 years of age or older. General Admission tickets are $95 per person (excluding tax) and must be purchased in advance. Ticket price includes admission, two drink tickets, and all-you-can-eat oysters, competition dishes, and items from the "Grill" and "Fry" stations. Additional drink tickets may be purchased at the event ($5 per ticket or 5 for $20).

"Pearl" tickets will also be available this year for $135 per person (excluding tax) and will include, in addition to the above, early admission to the Pearl Reception from 12pm-1pm with passed appetizers and an opportunity to meet the chefs and oyster farmers, 3 drink tickets, and a recipe book.

A silent auction will offer an array of fabulous items including a TBS Butcher's Basket, a Barbara Lynch Gruppo wine collection featuring the proprietary wines of each restaurant, and a private cooking lesson with a Gruppo chef! Proceeds will benefit a local initiative dedicated to teaching students attending Boston public schools about nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and sustainable agriculture through learning in the classrooms and urban schoolyard gardens.

The celebration will continue across the street at The Butcher Shop which will be hosting Surf and Turf Smackdowns at 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Limited to 12, guests will be served 3 rounds of dueling small plates featuring surf and turf and paired with wines - one B&G white and one TBS red. Votes will be cast after each round and a winner declared. Tickets to each smackdown are $40 per person and may also be purchased in advance by calling or visiting B&G Oysters.

Stay tuned for OI updates and a complete list of participants and schedule of activities by visiting www.facebook.com/bandgoysters and www.bandgoysters.com.

WHEN: Sunday, May 6th
12pm-1pm, Pearl Ticket Early Admission
1pm - 6pm, General Admission

Tickets on sale beginning Friday, April 6th at 11am

WHERE: B&G Oysters
550 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116
617.423.0550
www.bandgoysters.com