Berga bazārā notiek XVIII Austeru Festivāls 2026, ko rīko restorāns «Buržujs»
Riga Oyster Cup to Be Held for the First Time
Foto: Burzujs.lv | Autors: Una Ulme | 2026.09.09
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Riga Oyster Festival, the Riga Oyster Cup will take place for the first time on 12 September at Berga Bazārs, where the best oyster shucker in the capital will be determined.
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The aim of the competition is to bring together the best local oyster shuckers, promote oyster shucking as a craft, and raise professional quality standards. “Oysters are becoming increasingly popular in the hospitality sector, but enjoying them requires professional shucking and presentation. That is why the regulations of the Riga Oyster Cup have been designed to evaluate not only speed but, above all, quality,” notes Gaitis Burba, organiser of the Riga Oyster Festival.
Participants will have to open three types of oysters — fine, speciale, and wild flat oysters (a total of 12). These differ in shape and shell hardness. Each type requires different shucking techniques and approaches. It is a highly challenging task, which is why speed is only one of six evaluation criteria.
An international jury — including representatives from Latvia, Estonia, and the United Kingdom, among them two world champions in oyster shucking — will rigorously assess the quality of the opened oysters. They will check for cuts, shell fragments, cleanliness, intactness, and the absence of defects. Presentation — how contestants prepare and serve the oysters — is also one of the judging criteria.
The competition will take place across three semifinals, starting at 12:20, and the best oyster shucker in Riga will be announced at 13:30. The official awards ceremony will be held at 15:00, with the participation of Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of the Riga City Council.
Special trophies featuring a pearl hidden inside an oyster have been created specifically for this event by Eizenthal Black Lab, using 3D technology. A real oyster shell was first scanned, then modelled and printed, resulting in a truly unique trophy that will be awarded to the top three oyster shuckers in Riga.
This will be the 18th Riga Oyster Festival, taking place from 12:00 to 21:00 at Berga Bazārs. The event will feature various oyster‑related activities and competitions. Visitors will enjoy a diverse entertainment programme, as well as a wide selection of street food and grill dishes. Musical performances will be provided by the percussion group EKHO ensemble, DJ GarJānis, and DJ ELLA. All restaurant and café terraces at Berga Bazārs will be open to festival guests, and additional standing tables will be placed throughout the venue.
Admission is free.
The event is supported by the Riga City Municipality.
More information about the festival, its programme, and offerings: www.rigaoysterfest.lv