Oysters XO, a catering service renowned for its unique approach to serving oysters and raw seafood, has gained significant traction in the luxury event scene of New York City and beyond. For that, you can thank founder Rifko Meier, who started the company more than a decade ago. It all began when a friend challenged Meier to learn the trade of shucking oysters for a wedding in town. That first inspiration launched a bustling enterprise. Today, an oyster-growing all-star team of women, the Oyster Girls, powers its success.
In 2013, the company became a household name. They snatched up bookings for a number of high-profile events, such as the glamorous “The Great Gatsby” premiere that included Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance. This turning point was the launchpad of Oysters XO’s meteoric rise in the white-hot, high-end catering economy.
Oysters XO has become a household name, in large part due to the phenomenon of its Oyster Girls. They are good at shucking oysters, but more importantly, they understand how to engage with guests and provide an unforgettable experience. The Oyster Girls wear specially designed tool belts to tote and store their gear and supplies. Each belt includes four buckets: one for unopened oysters, another for accompaniments, a third for napkins, and a final one for shell discards. This wonderfully organized arrangement helps keep the experience clean, convenient, and fun for both event participants and guests alike.
Since then, demand for Oysters XO has boomed. It’s turned into the premium setting for luxury experiences in New York City, getting high-profile clients such as the Kentucky Derby and multiple Super Bowl and Oscar parties. Renowned luxury party planner PJ Fuerstman Meyer incorporates Oysters XO into her extravagant gatherings, including a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration at the Marriott Marquis.
Fuerstman Meyer suggests that the trend of hiring Oyster Girls is not limited to New York City. Cities across the country are jumping on board with this distinctive catering service, proving that food trucks are taking the nation by storm. Still, Oysters XO has a head-start countering very real competitive risks from rival services like Red Oyster USA, Oysters Hawaii and Oysterman Events UK.
The key to Oysters XO’s success is somewhat surprising itself—it’s the element of surprise it brings to events. When girls in heels walk into a venue and surprise your guests with freshly shucked oysters, that’s magic—it’s that sense of delight. This surprising experience is what makes the company so darn successful. This new and unexpected angle provides a unique and visually stimulating layer to happenings that guests are not expecting.
Oysters XO is even adding caviar bumps to its menu. This addition is trend-forward with the growing popularity of food and nesting behavior trends, while diversifying their lines of service. Inevitably, the company’s clients end up requesting the Oyster Girls by name even when they don’t formally request them. This demonstrates a major affection for the incomparable experience they provide.
The connection Meier makes between his great fortune and its greater moral implications. He notes, “I’m not sure that every American knows what the American dream is these days, but you certainly don’t need to be a billionaire to live it. He admits that most people considered a fun oyster-shucking activity to be a pretty daunting undertaking. But as always, he comforts us on our way. Even shucking oysters, which everyone in America agrees is the most difficult job in the world.
Sara Naomi, one of the Oyster Girls, emphatically claims her expertise in doing just this. “Now this I could do in my sleep!” she shouts. Her enthusiasm for the project shines through and exemplifies the knowledge and professionalism that every key player contributed to the project.
Oysters XO’s unique, immersive experience has brought a whole new meaning to catering, consistently blowing guests away on what they thought catering could be. Meier encapsulates this sentiment by stating, “surprising people in a way they didn’t expect they could be surprised anymore,” which aligns with the company’s mission to elevate events through exceptional service.
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