In the heat of summer or the depths of winter, there’s no feeling quite as exuberant and luxurious as dining on a selection of beautifully fresh oysters.
Whether in an opulent restaurant or enjoyed in your own four walls, there are a myriad of ways in which the ceremony of consuming seafood can be elevated - from delectable, brine-filled cocktails to premium shucking tools and tableware.
When enjoying oysters in the comfort of your own home, it’s essential that you invest in the proper tools of the trade to prevent unruly mishaps resulting in a bloody mess and a trip to A&E. This means purchasing a purpose-made oyster shucking knife as well as a protective glove woven with stainless steel fibres.
We spoke with Joey Ghazal, founder of New England-inspired brasserie and seafood specialist The MAINE Mayfair, for some advice on what to look for when it comes to oyster accessories.
What equipment or tools are needed for oyster shucking?
Ghazal advises “For oyster shucking, you'll need a good-quality oyster knife and a protective glove or cloth to hold the oyster. A dedicated shucking board can also be helpful for stability.”
What is the proper technique for oyster shucking?
The restaurant founder cautions that aggressive shucking can lead to unruly injuries. He reveals, “To shuck an oyster, insert the knife into the hinge of the shell, applying gentle pressure until it pops open. Slide the knife along the top shell then remove the top shell and carefully loosen the oyster from the bottom shell without spilling the juice.” While that salty brine is part of what makes oysters so delicious, don’t be disheartened if there’s some spillage on your first go.
What silverware should be used for eating oysters?
Take a leaf out of the Mayfair-based restaurant’s book and pay attention to presentation. “At The MAINE we serve ours on a raised stainless steel platter filled with crushed ice. It looks stunning and is an impressive centrepiece when entertaining. Don't forget an oyster fork, it makes for the most elegant way to enjoy the oyster.” Investing in premium seafood accessories is a sure-fire way to ensure opulent dinner party success.
What's your favourite way to enjoy an oyster?
Ghazal goes classic with his sauce accompaniments. He explains, “We serve oysters simply with many classic options: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, hot sauce, 2 styles of mignonettes (red wine, shallot and a classic white wine) and freshly grated horseradish.”
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Brut Homeware Oyster Knife With Leather Glove
Crafted by Amsterdam-based homeware specialists, this gorgeous oyster shucking set comes with a buffalo leather glove to protect your hand, and a traditional oyster knife with an attractive, ergonomic wooden handle. Over time, the salty water which drips from oysters while shucking lends a unique, grainy quality to the premium leather glove. The set comes in a chic gift box and serves as a quality present for the seafood lover in your life.
Buy now £55.00, La Gent
Wright Brothers Oyster Knife
The Wright Brothers have recently upgraded its classic oyster knife to imbue the blade with extra strength and durability. It’s a professional option used by The Wright Bro’s own chefs and has a quality finish with a lovely wooden handle.
Buy now £18.50, Wright Bros
Jean Dubost Fruit de Mer Seafood Set
Complete with all the seafood shucking, cracking and skewering essentials, this gorgeous Fruit de Mer set by Jean Dubost features a beautiful Laguiole oyster knife, claw-shaped crab crackers, lobster skewers and sea snail picks within a pale wooden carved vessel.
Buy now £46.00, Farrar & Tanner
Oyster Shucker Clamp in Maple Wood
A simple and stylish essential for all oyster lovers, this shucking tool is not only a pleasure to look at, but a delight to use. Simply wet the underside of the oyster you’re shucking and the underside of the wooden board to create powerful suction which keeps the mollusc in place, preventing any potential injuries in the process.
Buy now £32.18, Etsy
Down the Cove Oyster Opening Set
This brilliant, highly portable set from Down the Cove is perfect for shucking oysters and scallops. It includes a professional-quality stainless steel, dual-sided oyster knife with a serrated blade and a comfortable handle. You’ll also get a Cortland filleting glove which has an incredibly durable and safe stainless steel woven construction to protect your hand from sharp shucking or filleting knives.
Buy now £26.95, Mountain Warehouse
Messermeister Oyster Knife
Designed by three-time Dutch oyster shucker champion, Marcel Schouwenaar (yes, that’s a real thing), The Messermeister gives you perfect results every time by allowing for a supremely clean shell break. The fin-shaped handle is incredibly comfortable to hold, and it comes with a metal travel case for all your beach-going needs. It also comes with a ‘Knife for Life’ guarantee.
Buy now £39.99, Sous Chef
Stainless Steel Seafood Forks / Set of 4
Though technically used for eating lobster and crabs, this value-for-money set of stainless steel seafood forks would still work brilliantly for oysters as well as snails. Dishwasher-safe and adorned with lovely little lobster engravings, they’re an immediate add-to-basket for lovers of Fruits de la Mer.
Buy now £7.00, Borough Kitchen
Sabre Gustave Oyster Fork
For oodles of Parisian oyster-loving elegance, look no further than the Sabre Gustave Fork. Traditional and subtly opulent, the three-pronged stainless steel accessory is complimented by a gently curved pearlescent handle which is available in a myriad of neutral tones.
Buy now £17.50, Sabre
Set of six mother-of-pearl seafood picks
For multi-use excellence, this set of six mother-of-pearl seafood picks by Gohar World is a fantastic choice. Use the dual-pronged end for oysters, and the fanned pearl base to spread caviar with ease.
Buy now £135.00, Net-A-Porter
Cut Resistant Gloves
Offered in four different sizes, this pair of stainless steel chainmail cut-resistant gloves are a kitchen essential for seafood obsessives. Dishwasher-safe and complete with an adjustable wrist strap, they’re lined with comfortable nylon for shucking ease.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
Set of 6 vintage French oyster plates Decors De Paris
Handpicked by McCall And Co Vintage on Etsy, these glorious vintage oyster plates from the 1960s are an incredibly rare find. At under £200 for a set of six porcelain platters with scalloped edges and painted sea creatures, it’s an absolute steal.
Buy now £180.00, Etsy
Georg Jensen Oyster Tray
Sculptural and sophisticated, Georg Jensen’s avant-garde stainless steel oyster tray is an investment in sheer luxury. The undulated edges are designed to mimic ocean waves for an in-theme approach to seafood tablescaping.
Buy now £245.00, Amara
Matfer Bourgeat Seafood Platter Tray
A classic restaurant-grade seafood platter, the raised edges on this stainless steel tray allow you to load the dish with crushed ice.
Buy now £63.58, Nisbits
Vintage Ceramic Champagne Cooler
This simultaneously heavy-duty and remarkably delicate vintage ceramic champagne cooler immediately evokes a feeling of English summertime. Dating back to the 1950s, it’s covered in traditional blue and white pastoral scenes.
Buy now £710.00, Vinterior
