A BI-VALVE BONANZA!

BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ TO LAUNCH GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER FRENZY FEATURING PAUL RANDAZZO OF RANDAZZO'S CLAM BAR TOMORROW, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, AT GRAND CENTRAL OYSTER BAR

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, joined by his oyster-loving wife, Jamie, will officially launch off the annual Grand Central Oyster Frenzy tomorrow (Saturday, September 25), at 12:30 p.m. at the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar in New York City. Mr. Markowitz will introduce Paul Randazzo, the owner of Brooklyn's famous Randazzo's Clam Bar of Sheepshead Bay, who will prepare "Baked Oysters on the Half Shell Italian Style a la Randazzo," in a special chef demonstration. The public will be able to share a taste of Randazzo's culinary concoction, and meet the Borough President. Admission is free.

It will be a Bi-Valve Bonanza when oysters from A to B to Z -- Alaska (Rocky Pass) Brooklyn (Randazzo's recipe) to New Zealand (Clevedon Coast) - are on the menu, 16 varieties in all from the East and West Coasts, at the all-day frenzy.

Along with the renowned chefs sharing their gourmet wizardry with the public, the Professional Shucking Championships, the "Slurp Off," eating contest and a "beer shucking" showdown will be among the highlights at the famed eatery located "below sea level" at Grand Central Station.  General Manager Jonathan Young and executive chef Sandy Ingber, the venerable "Bishop of Bi-Valves," will host the festivities. The Professional Shucking Championships featuring the best pros from across the country, including four-time champion Luis "The Mexican Menace" Iglesius defending his title on his home turf, and the fifth annual "Slurp Off," open to the public (whoever can eat a dozen oysters in the fastest time), and the inaugural Great Oyster Shooter Face Off sponsored by Double Cross Vodka and 901 Tequila are all on the slate. Sportscaster Rich Ackerman, the WFAN Radio update man and MSG Varsity play-by-play voice will call the action. For more information contact the Grand Central Oyster Bar at 212 490-6650 or www.oysterbarny.com . 

Aaron Bashy, executive chef at Pershing Square in New York City, will join Randazzo in creating culinary concoctions. Peter Fu, chef de cuisine at the Grand Central Oyster Bar, will host From the Sea to the Plate: the Art of Butchering. The Professional Shucking Championships, first round at 1:00 pm,  the annual "Slurp Off" eating contest open to the public,  and a "beer shucking" showdown will also highlight the Frenzy at the iconic seafood restaurant located "below sea level" at Grand Central Terminal.