Frenchman farms heart-shaped oysters for Valentine's Day
This frizzy-wigged Frenchman farms oysters specifically for Valentine's Day.
"Huh, huh, huh."
Christophe Guinot has managed to grow oysters shaped like hearts.
"Superbe."
But how he does it is a well-guarded trade secret.
"Magnifique."
Guinot says his heart-shaped oysters enhance the romantic potential of his product, long considered to be a natural aphrodisiac.
"These oysters are sold only on Valentine's Day and served on Valentine's Day and only at Michelin-star restaurants. It's a rare distinctive characteristic which provokes enthusiasm and interest. Imagine two beautiful oysters for two lovers in a famous restaurant, well prepared, well presented on a plate. The oyster is the princess of the sea, we know that, and on Valentine's Day, the princess and the Prince around a table, what a nice story."
With the wind blowing through his luxurious, yellow mane, Guinot then speeds across Lake Leucate in southern France to deliver his Valentine's Day harvest to 'La Balette', a Michelin-star restaurant headed by Chef Laurent Lemal.
"I bring you today's best oysters, the Valentine's oysters for Valentine's Day. This one is my fiancée..."
Chef Lemal says he only uses local products and oysters raised just a few miles away for his menu. The heart-shaped oysters are blanched and quickly put into ice water. Then, they are marinated in beetroot juice - to give it a red, Valentine's Day color - a bit of yuzu, some tapioca for texture and voila, Valentine's Day oysters.
Chef Lemal says these oysters will be offered to Valentine's Day lovers only on Monday.
But one lucky couple got a taste in advance.
"It's aesthetically pleasing, it's feminine, I love it."
Just the feeling Guinot hoped to evoke on Valentine's Day.
"To our Valentine, to love, my darling."
