The Oyster Roast, based on the popular roll-up-your-sleeves southern tradition, features sacks of fresh Taylor oysters in the shell dumped on hot metal plates over outdoor grills and covered with wet coffee sacks until juice starts to bubble out of the shells. Then they are shoveled onto platters and delivered to tables where they need a nudge from an oyster knife to release the top shell and seductive aromas. Empty shells are discarded into buckets at the ends of the tables. Sausages and side dishes are served family style.