Anthony's Homeport Crowns a New Oyster Slurp Champion

Anthony’s Homeport in Kirkland crowned a new Champion Oyster Slurper on Friday night. The grand finale ushers in the close of an oyster celebration month for the chain of restaurants. Each Friday in March, guests have been invited to participate in a hands-free oyster slurp. The first contestant to finish the nine oysters won a complementary lunch for two and a chance to compete in the grand finale.

Slurpers at the finale included returning champion from two weeks ago, Kirkland resident Braxton Clemans, who claimed to be nervous about the event; long-time former champion and Bellevue residents Joel Eng and his wife Mikel Eng, a veterinarian from homepetvet.com; and two newcomers: John Post of Kirkland and Brandon Pye of Renton.

The Eng’s have been competing for more than a decade, and while Joel has worn gold a number of times, Mikel has never won a prize.

“They used to hand out coupons for free appetizers to entice guests to participate,” says Mikel Eng. “I liked to collect the coupons.”

The couple have competed in the Shilshoe Anthony’s slurp before, claiming that the competition over there is fierce. They prefer to stick to Kirkland where they have a shot at the prize.

Braxton Clemans has been eating oysters his whole life, but doesn’t think he could tell the difference between the varieties.

Since a couple of the previous weeks’ champions didn’t show up for the grand finale, two newcomers joined the game. Brandon Pye thought he would be successful if he used his secret weapon: speed -- a good secret weapon in a speed-eating contest.

The competition began and ended a mere 5.3 seconds later with Braxton Clemans smoking everyone. He was given the gold medal and dinner vouchers. Joel Eng came in second, silver gracing his chest.

Though the slurp competition is officially closed for the year, the oyster celebration deals don’t end until March 31. So go enjoy some oysters and start practicing your slurp for next year.