Chef Albert Clugston III, owner of The Litchfield Saltwater Grille Restaurant has been selected from a pool over over 250 aplicants to compete in a line up of 16 professional shuckers in the annual Oyster Open taking place this Sunday January 31st as part of the Sun Wine Fest at Mohegan Sun.
To qualify shuckers must be able to open 15 perfect oysters in less than three minutes. Clugston’s best time to date is 1 minute and 30 seconds. Clugston’s biggest competitor is “Chopper” a shucker that is famous in the oyster shucking circuit wining titles at all the major competitions in Newport RI, Wellfleet MA, and placing highly in the great Ireland competition.
Clugston, who fared well in the 2009 Oyster Open, has been practicing nightly at the Litchfield Saltwater Grille raw bar for over a year and is ready to shuck!
The Litchfield Saltwater Grille is an upscale fish house with steak house concepts. Voted “Best New Restaurant, Litchfield County ” by Connecticut Magazine 2008. Voted "Best Seafood, Litchfield County " and "Best Hidden Gem, Litchfield County " by Connecticut Magazine 2009. Brett Clugston, owner and sommelier, features her Wine Spectator award winning wine list and Albert Clugston III, owner and chef, presents his contemporary American cuisine and raw bar. The Litchfield Saltwater Grille has four large dining rooms, including rooms sponsored by B.R. Cohn Winery and J. Lohr Winery, a wine loft, and a covered patio. Located on Route 202, The Litchfield Saltwater Grille offers guests a sophisticated dining experience.
