June 13, 2026 • Sacramento
THE 3RD ANNUAL SHUCK OFF™ IS COMING
Back-to-back champion Donald Frias of Omakase Por Favor returns to defend his reign — can anyone dethrone Sacramento's fastest hands? The competition is fiercer than ever, and this year's field is stacked with hungry challengers ready to take the crown.
We heard you loud and clear. Based on your feedback from the 2025 event, we've completely reimagined the experience. Expect a totally new and improved event for all guests, with major upgrades to the VIP experience — better sightlines, exclusive tastings, premium bar service, and a few surprises we're not ready to reveal just yet.
Whether you're coming to compete, spectate, or just enjoy the best oysters Sacramento has to offer — the 3rd Annual Shuck Off™ is going to be one for the books.
Get Your Tickets
WHAT IS THE SHUCK OFF?
Born from a deep love of oysters, friendly competition, and downtown Sacramento's vibrant food scene, the Shuck Off™ is an annual oyster shucking competition that brings together culinary professionals to showcase their speed, skill, and seafood swagger.
Founded in 2024 by hospitality veterans Demetri Gregorakis and Sara Arbabian, this event is a celebration of craft, community, and the art of the perfect shuck.
June 13, 2026 • 1:00 PM
The Competition
Competitors go head-to-head in timed rounds, judged on speed, presentation, and shell-free execution. Only the best advance to the final round where the pressure is at its peak and the crowd is roaring.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a passionate newcomer, the Shuck Off™ is where legends are made.
PRE-QUALIFIER: FARMERS MARKET
Saturday, May 9th, 2026
Midtown Farmers Market • Sacramento, CA
All registered competitors are invited to the Shuck Off™ Pre-Qualifier at the Midtown Farmers Market! This is a free, family-friendly event where signed-up competitors will complete a short shucking test to demonstrate they're ready to compete in the main event on June 13th.
Come out to cheer on your favorite shuckers, enjoy fresh oysters, and get a sneak peek at what's in store for the 3rd Annual Shuck Off™. No ticket required — just show up and enjoy the fun!
Sign Up to CompeteREIGNING CHAMPION
Donald Frias
Omakase Por Favor • 20th Street, Sacramento
Known for his lightning-fast hands, surgical precision, and cool-under-pressure style, Donald claimed the 2024 inaugural title and defended it in 2025 with a flawless final round and zero shell fragments.
When he's not competing, Donald mentors aspiring seafood professionals and pushes the boundaries of Japanese-influenced cuisine at Omakase Por Favor.
Can anyone dethrone the king in 2026?
COMPETITOR SIGN-UP
Requirements
- • Must be 18+
- • Professional or semi-pro oyster shucking experience
- • Limited spots — first come, first confirmed
Prizes
- 🏆 Custom Golden Oyster Knife
- 💰 Cash prizes + merchandise
- 📸 Local fame and media coverage
- 👑 Eternal bragging rights
Deadline: April 30, 2026
GET YOUR TICKETS
Don't miss Sacramento's wildest food event. Grab your tickets before they're gone!
The Ultimate Oyster Marathon
Ready for Sacramento's wildest food event? A GA ticket gets you into the heart of the action at the 1801 L Street courtyard. This isn't just a tasting—it's a high-stakes championship showdown.
GA TICKET
General Admission
- ✦Unlimited Passed Oysters: Freshly hauled and shucked on-site by our partners at Pacific Seafood. Eat your heart out.
- ✦The Show: Front-row access to three rounds of professional shucking competition. Watch the fastest hands in the West battle for the Golden Oyster Knife.
- ✦The Sauce Bar: From our friends at Omakase Por Favor: Go beyond lemon and tabasco with our curated spread of house-made mignonettes and craft cocktail sauces.
- ✦Live Entertainment: High-energy sets from our live DJ to keep the courtyard vibrating between heats.
- ✦The Bar: Access to our curated drink menu featuring the Half Shell Vodka signature cocktail by our friends at Craftyd and Poured and crisp beers from Trumer Pils.
VIP TICKET
The Elevated Experience
Want the oysters without the hustle? We've completely reimagined the VIP experience for 2026. This is your “home base” for the afternoon—offering better sightlines, shorter lines, and exclusive flavors.
Everything in GA, PLUS:
- ✦The Welcome Drink: Skip the line and get a signature cocktail (or bubbles) handed to you the moment you walk in.
- ✦Exclusive VIP Snacking Station: Take a break from the brine with a curated spread of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and small bites from the team at The Rind.
- ✦Private VIP Bar: Dedicated bartenders and a private queue so you spend less time waiting and more time watching the competition.
- ✦Premier Seating & Shade: Access to the VIP lounge with shaded seating and the best views of the competition stage.
- ✦The 2026 Swag Bag: A little something extra from the Shuck Off™ team to take home.
OUR PARTNERS
Official Oyster Partner
Pacific Seafood
Family-owned since 1941, Pacific Seafood brings over 80 years of expertise in sourcing and delivering the finest shellfish the West Coast has to offer. Their commitment to sustainable harvesting, quality, and community is what makes the Shuck Off™ possible — every oyster shucked on stage comes from Pacific Seafood.
Food Vendor & VIP Cheese + Charcuterie
The Rind
Sacramento’s beloved cheese bar, The Rind has been a Midtown staple since 2014. Known for their artisan cheese boards, charcuterie, and approachable wine-and-cheese culture, they’re bringing their expertise to the Shuck Off™ with food service and exclusive VIP cheese and charcuterie offerings.
Venue Partner
SKK Developments
Building communities since 1987, SKK Developments is the force behind some of Midtown Sacramento’s most iconic properties. Their flagship 1801 L Street courtyard is where the Shuck Off™ comes to life — and there’s no better backdrop for Sacramento’s premier oyster shucking competition.
Prequalifier Event Partner
Midtown Farmers Market
A cornerstone of Sacramento’s farm-to-fork identity, the Midtown Farmers Market brings the community together every Saturday. This year, they’re hosting our free-for-all prequalifier event on May 9th — come watch competitors battle for their spot in the Shuck Off™.
Official Vodka Partner
Half Shell Spirits
America’s first spirits brand bottled in recyclable cardboard packaging, Half Shell Spirits crafts premium vodka filtered through active coconut carbon and recycled oyster shells for unparalleled smoothness. Their vodka powers our signature cocktail, the “Shuck Me Sideways” — a fruity cooler you won’t want to put down. 21+ only.
Signature Cocktail & Bar Program Partner
Craftyd and Poured
The team behind the bar at the Shuck Off™. Craftyd and Poured is a fully licensed beverage service built on years of bartending experience from around the world. They’re crafting and pouring every cocktail, beer, and drink at the event — including our signature “Shuck Me Sideways.”
Official Beer Partner
Trumer Pils
Born in Austria in 1601, brewed fresh in Berkeley, California since 2004. Trumer Pils is the world’s most awarded pilsner — one beer, one focus, perfected over four centuries. Clean, crisp, and sessionable. The official beer of the Shuck Off™.
Official Sauce Partner
Omakase Por Favor
Chef Jeana’s Midtown gem where Global and Coastal Mexican flavors meet the art of Japanese omakase. Home of back-to-back Shuck Off™ champion Donald Frias, Omakase Por Favor is bringing their signature house-made mignonettes and craft cocktail sauces to the event — so you can go way beyond just tabasco and lemon.
Cash Sponsor
Mark Stockdale
Consulting CPA and proud supporter of the Shuck Off™.
OFFICIAL MERCH
Rep the Shuck Off™ brand. Limited edition tees — collect them all.
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2026 DESIGN
Official Design Revealed Soon