Honor Allen was 12 years old when he peeled his first oyster, and he didn’t know it was the beginning of a satisfied adventure that would lead him to champion titles.
Oyster shelling began as a hobby for the Panama City native. He spent most of his time at St. Andrews learning about the oyster industry and eventually landed his first assignment at Hunt’s Oyster Bar as an oyster sheller.
Soon after he started working, he learned that shelling oysters was all he was looking for to go one step further. So he participated in a local oyster husking contest to challenge himself and improve his craft.
And the more he played, the more he left. Now, Allen, 28, claims the championship’s name as the country’s fastest oyster sheller.
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Allen never went unnoticed. In fact, the manufacturers of Method’s film equipment
“It’s amazing that they were able to illuminate my adventure through competitions and my life as an oyster sheller,” Allen said. “I am grateful to have had this opportunity and excited for its premiere. It’s a delight in I’ll never forget it. “
Honor’s Best presents its competitive adventure in oyster chipping competitions in national and national contexts. The filmmakers spent 4 years following their adventures to deepen their career as an oyster chipping champion.
The documentary is expected to premiere soon and will be available on streaming platforms Apple TV, Google Play and Amazon Prime Video.
Allen competed in his first festival in 2013. After that, he competed in local festivals before broadening his horizons to national festivals.
He is preparing for the U. S. National Oyster Desbullado Championship Competition. It will take place in Lexington Park, Maryland, from October 15 to 16. Lately he holds a four-year championship title as the fastest oyster sheller of the festival. 20 states will participate in this year’s festival and, as protective champion, Allen will advance to the final.
At the end of September, he took the position of the moment in the Oyster Opening World Championship at Galway International Oyster.
“It’s such a big occasion and to be so high up at a festival as opposed to a very capable competition is a blessing for me,” Allen said.
Allen has competed in China, Connecticut and Louisiana.
For Allen, there’s no better way to expand your skills than being a full-time oyster sheller. Most recently he works at Dat Cajun Place in Panama City Beach, where he can satisfy the wishes of the local community.
Dat Cajun Place oyster bar manager Joshua Woodworth, who worked with Allen for many years, said he couldn’t be prouder of his hard work.
“He took everything we taught him and perfected it. I watched him grow and to see what he’s done makes me very proud,” Woodworth said. “He’s come a long way to get to where he is today and we couldn’t be happier for him. “
The oyster champion aims to continue competing nationally and globally, adding occasions in Sweden and Canada. Their goal is to own an oyster farm.
“I am grateful to be able to constitute Dat Cajun Place and my hometown,” Allen concluded. “I look to the future to have a more competitive oyster shelling in my life and develop in the business and the community. “