TAMPA BAY TIMES: "EMPIRE OYSTER RAISES THE RAW BAR IN ST. PETERSBURG"

By Laura Reiley / Food Critic / Tampa Bay Times

"Kevin Joseph stands behind the counter wearing farmer's overalls, his 1967 Chevy Sportvan 108 Deluxe "Shuck Truck" pulled up outside.

At least among folks who won't think it's pretentious, he calls himself a "mermmelier," a sommelier for oysters. He's in the business of edutainment, explaining the flavor profiles and growing conditions of the up to nine kinds of oysters he's offering; explaining the importance of recycling oyster shells to create reefs and complex ecosystems; explaining how oysters aren't just carbon neutral, they're carbon negative. And all the while he's shucking. How cool is St. Petersburg? Cool enough to ..."

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Photos by: Eve Edelheit / Photographer / Tampa Bay Times