NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – If you desire an oyster from Desire Oyster Bar on Bourbon Street, you’ve got to go to the guy at the grill.
His name is Gus.
Actually, his full name is Augustus Marshall.
And as WGNO News with a Twist features reporter Wild Bill Wood introduces him, he’s the New Orleans oyster man.
You’ve heard of people who whistle while they work. Gus hums.
So, what is he humming? Well, Gus says, he’s usually got a slow ballad in his head. It’s the kind of song that makes him really move and groove through his oysters.
Gus has been diving deep into oysters for nearly 40 years. He’s so good with his hands, he’s got the gold medal for oyster shucking.
His record is 21 oysters in just two minutes.
That’s not even ten seconds for every tight-lipped oyster shell Gus pries open.
Watch him here as he trains for this year’s New Orleans Oyster Festival.
The past couple of years, Gus has finished in second place. But he’s in good shape. Those hands are nimble. And he’s ready to go for the title once again.
You’ll see Gus attempt the impossible here. Gus tries to teach Wild Bill Wood how to shuck an oyster.