Poole Harbour’s Dorset Oysters Set to Shuck, Cook and Share at Wimborne Food Festival

Pete Miles from Dorset Oysters will be sharing the secrets of shellfish at this year’s Wimborne Food Festival © Pete Miles

Visitors to Wimborne Food Festival on Saturday 19th September can meet Pete Miles, owner of Dorset Oysters, when he takes to the Dacombes of Wimborne Food Theatre Marquee on Willow Walk near Waitrose.

His talk, ‘Dorset Oysters- Seed to Plate’ will lift the lid on the journey of an oyster - from its beginnings as a seed in the nutrient-rich waters of Poole Harbour to the moment it’s shucked, cooked and enjoyed.

Known for his straight-talking warmth and deep-rooted passion for honest, locally sourced seafood, Pete will also be inviting festival-goers to try oysters for the first time, offering tastings and cooking up simple, unfussy dishes that celebrate the oyster’s natural flavour.

Born in Poole, Pete grew up with the harbour as his playground. By 16 he was working as a coxswain on pilot boats and fishing in his spare time. His career took him through restaurant kitchens, onto Poole Quay as a restaurateur, and eventually into partnership with long-time shellfish grower Gary Wordsworth- creating the two-part operation that today forms Dorset Oysters.

From the converted Sandbanks chain ferry that now serves as a floating harvesting platform, to the meticulous purification process that ensures every oyster meets exacting standards, Pete’s story is one of resilience, innovation and a lifelong connection to the harbour. His philosophy remains refreshingly simple: seafood should taste of where it comes from, without fuss or pretension!

Wimborne Food Festival is organised by Wimborne BID. Chair of Wimborne BID Fiona Pawsey said: “Wimborne Food Festival is designed to showcase and support the brilliant businesses in Wimborne. The free tastings, talks, live music and alfresco eating around the town creates an incredible atmosphere not to be missed.”

The demo line-up in the Festival Food Theatre Marquee also includes Maggie Richardson of Great British Bake Off fame, top Dorset chef and restaurateur Colin Nash, Wimborne’s LovItaly founder Cristina Cavalleri, Renoufs Wimborne cheese gurus Sali Pike and Ellie Snook and in conjunction with Salamander Cookshop, local chef Colm McKavanagh from Rivers Edge Bistro. 

Free entry from 10am until 4pm.