What does it really mean to know an oyster?

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes the oyster sommelier herself, Virginia Shaffer, a true authority on one of the most seductive, mysterious, and surprisingly complex foods we eat!

Ordering oysters is one thing, but knowing them? Much different story. Virginia has built a world around the shellfish: leading immersive tours and tastings through Lady Oyster, and now bringing her adventures to the page in Oyster Society: Adventures with the Shellfishly Motivated, a journey into the people, places, and obsession behind oyster culture.

This conversation goes well beyond the raw bar. They explore why two oysters harvested just miles apart can taste completely different, what merroir really means, whether you should chew an oyster, what to notice first when you taste one, whether size matters, and what you’re actually tasting when someone describes an oyster as briny, buttery, vegetal, or mineral. They’ll also discuss what the shell itself tells you before you ever take a bite - covering etiquette, flavor, farming, pairing, provenance, and more.

Oyster 101... just with a bit more sophistication.

What does it really mean to know an oyster?
On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes the oyster sommelier herself, Virginia Shaffer, a true authority on one of the most seductive, mysterious, and surprisingly complex foods we eat!
Ordering oysters is one thing, but knowing them? Much different story. Virginia has built a world around the shellfish: leading immersive tours and tastings through <a href="https://www.theladyoyster.com/">Lady Oyster</a>, and now bringing her adventures to the page in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952143993?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_E64VXWGKDYXS72TFC4AH&amp;ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_E64VXWGKDYXS72TFC4AH&amp;social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_E64VXWGKDYXS72TFC4AH&amp;bestFormat=true">Oyster Society: Adventures with the Shellfishly Motivated</a>, a journey into the people, places, and obsession behind oyster culture.
This conversation goes well beyond the raw bar. They explore why two oysters harvested just miles apart can taste completely different, what merroir really means, whether you should chew an oyster, what to notice first when you taste one, whether size matters, and what you&rsquo;re actually tasting when someone describes an oyster as briny, buttery, vegetal, or mineral. They&rsquo;ll also discuss what the shell itself tells you before you ever take a bite - covering etiquette, flavor, farming, pairing, provenance, and more.
Oyster 101... just with a bit more sophistication.

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world. Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices. CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world.&nbsp;Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices.&nbsp;CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.