Isabella Macbeth
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Certified: L2 - 4/26/24, L1 - 10/18/23
Current role: Owner, Holy City Oyster Maven - Catering Oyster Education Class
Most meaningful oyster: The SC native Virginica. Growing up in the Lowcountry, we always boasted about having the best oysters. As I traveled the East Coast, it amazed me to learn that each region, while having the same species, also harbored unique, almost cult-like ideas about why theirs were the best. The species' shapes and tastes change just as dramatically as the people do. They truly represent us.
Proudest oyster accomplishments:
Being able to LIVE. Without oysters I’d probably have ended it. I’m lucky oysters allowed me to be myself and thrive.
Traveling to France to represent my country at the World Seafood Chef Challenge.
Winning BIG at the PEI Shellfish Festival.
Favorite oysters (to shuck):
Steamboat Creek, SC
Oesterij, Zeeland, Netherlands
Flat Oysters, Cancale, France
Dream oyster destination: Cancale, France 🇫🇷
Favorite thing about being an OMG member: Being apart of a like-minded group to grow and educate the world on standards for oyster professionals. We are no long dishwashers with a knife—we are true professionals with dedication, education, and skill at our craft.