The Story
Being from an arts and crafts background, I have always been impressed by the workmanship of an oyster, held in the palm of my hand. The uniquely weathered landscape of its growth circles; its hard sharp edges and harsh cool colours; accompanied by the occasional barnacle hanger-on, brave enough to hitch a ride.
With their strength to stay closed, oysters make you work hard for the beauty they hold. And such delicate asymmetrical softness lies beneath!
To me, oysters are a metaphor for the hard work I have put into my creative career as an artist and maker: ‘nothing easy is worth having’, as they say - and oysters are a prime example of this.
Borough Market Experience
My first experience of oysters took place among the hustle and bustle of London’s Borough Market.
I was mesmerised by the noise, the smells, the colours, the architecture and the history of this special place - I hadn’t even tasted an oyster yet but I was already hooked!
Onto the taste-test and it was hook, line and sinker for me. The delicate softness of an oyster is a tasting experience unlike anything I had ever tried before. Not only do they taste great but they can also make you feel good too: these delicious super-foods are said to enhance vitality, thanks to their hugely bio-available mineral and vitamin content.
Oysters are also revered throughout history: from wandering neolithic families, sailing Norsemen to the Greeks and Romans. It comes as no surprise that the primal health bros of Instagram are all over them too…
I felt so passionate about the experience I had that day and I wanted other people to enjoy it too; and so a rusty old horsebox was salvaged from a field and Oyster Borough was born.
My Oyster Borough project engages every aspect of my creativity; from the many months of renovation work I carried out in transforming the horsebox into a pop-up Oyster bar, through to the culinary parings I create.
My drive with Oyster Borough is to serve premium quality oysters, with creative flavours that inspire conversation and connection. The theatre, the romance, the history - all in one shell.
I want Oyster Borough to be a cornerstone of fun, memorable experiences; be it at weddings, private parties, public celebrations or corporate events - with the bonus of you feeling exceptional afterwards too.