Lifting the lid on oysters at Wimborne Food Festival

The owner of Dorset Oysters, Pete Miles, will be giving a talk at Wimborne Food Festival when he takes to the Dacombes of Wimborne Food Theatre Marquee on Willow Walk near Waitrose. He 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.

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.

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 twopart operation that today forms Dorset Oysters.

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.