Salem Shucker Tops the Best in the Business

The head shucker at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem took home a cash prize as the Boston Seafood Festival, according to an announcement from the restaurant.

Head shucker Ryan Kripp Won “The Battle of the Shuckers” on July 27 and came out on top in a field made up of the Boston area’s best shuckers, including shuckers from Legal Seafood, Union Oyster House, East Coast Grill and Big Rock Oyster Company. In all, there were 18 shuckers in the competition.

Kripp made it through two heats and a final round, with scoring based on the “finishing time” and “presentation.” Time penalties were added if oysters were “hacked,” meaning they were not completely severed from the shell or served on a broken shell.

Kripp took home $500 for the win.