Oyster Sommeliers with Patrick McMurray

16/11/2025 1h 43min
Oyster Sommeliers with Patrick McMurray

Listen "Oyster Sommeliers with Patrick McMurray"

Episode Synopsis

What began as an episode devoted to the noble oyster took a sad turn with the news that our guest's mentor had passed away. This edition of Salt Lick featuring Patrick McMurry is dedicated to the memory of Rodney Clark, the Toronto restaurateur and founder of Rodney's Oyster House. Patrick, the Guiness World Record holder for fastest oyster shucker, shares his experiences working for Rodney over eight years and how his legacy lives on in seafood market restaurants across the country run by other protégés. Through his Oyster Master Guild, Patrick trains food professionals to understand, appreciate and properly serve the molluscs; he explains tips for effective shucking, how he wins competitions, and why the right knife is key. Oysters have been depicted in literature for centuries; a luxury, aphrodisiac or fertility stimulant. Patrick shares poems from MFK Fisher and, to conclude, one of Rodney's favourites, The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll. Follow Patrick, David & Lesley on Instagram.  Salt Lick is a TNKR Media Original Production.