Tackling food waste in Dubai, one oyster shell at a time – The National

Tackling food waste in Dubai, one oyster shell at a time – The National

Few delicacies are as synonymous with luxury as oysters. Featured on the menus of top restaurants the world over, they are a food of celebration, often enjoyed together in moments of indulgence and joie de vivre.

Globally, an estimated two billion oysters are consumed each year. That’s a lot of shucking — and a whole lot of shells.

For many, it’s unlikely much thought is given to those shells once the Mignonette is sprinkled and the oyster swallowed. But around the world they are being given a new lease of life, including off the coast of Dubai. The Dubai Oyster Project is the brainchild of Joey Ghazal, founder of The Maine group, which across its three brasseries is one of the city’s biggest purveyors of oysters, selling more than 50,000 per month.