One-On-One with 16x World Crab-Picking Champion, Hurricane Hazel

[@dirtydingus5465]

I am a retired city police officer. I have been retired over 20 years now. I put 32 years into law enforcement. I met so so many sweet nice old black people (both men and women) just like this sweet dear woman right here! I miss those times when I would visit these friends and sit and talk with them for hours on end while I was working. I had the utmost respect for them and them for me. I learned so much from each, about history and the trials and tribulations of their lives, before my time. I am old now myself and have gone back many times since retiring for funerals, and birthday parties! This woman is a true treasure! ☮

[@dee1380]

This is my great Aunt...my grandmother's sister. My father's Aunt Hazel..

[@petebarr780]

I am 39 years old and this is how I've been eating crabs my whole life. My mother use to pick crabs and showed me how to do exactly what she doing. It's funny eating crabs watching people struggle to get to the meat 😂 if they only knew. This is golden. If you found this video you are blessed. Pay attention

[@Jail512]

Man I could never eat em whole like that, my girl literally does mine like ima kid if she don’t i just say fuck it n eat the shell too😂

[@dustyflair]

na man just get in there and suck the meat out!!! Whole crabs are da bomb!!!@@Jail512

[@jerseydevil1]

She wasting so much, that stuff gets added to a pot in my house lol crab bisque 🙏🏾

[@thomaskiely-oz4bp]

Remind me of my mother.she was a great picker of blue crab .thamk you.god bless

[@petebarr780]

@@Jail512 lol I use to do that too until I cracked a damn tooth... Butterflying them with a knife is by far the best way to eat em

[@CA2SD]

Can you imagine Ms. H.Hazel sitting at the dinner table sharing her stories while you're eating all you can crabs. That would be epic!

[@td5737]

Lord yes❤❤

[@pamalawilliams28]

She’s killing me by throwing all those good crab fingers in the trash I’m in New Orleans and we eat claws , all the time ❤

[@313Martin]

Right! I'm confused because she is throwing away all of the meat. Salute to her precious self, though

[@tanequagray]

I was watching like omg! I'm from New York and they crab going to be ripped apart messing with me, lol❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@48lawsofteeth1]

Wow I thought I was the only one who felt like that omg !

[@pattyjo6464]

I agree about those yummy sweet claws. I'm from Bayou country west of New Orleans, I was shocked that she tossed the eggs (roe) from that fat female crab, too. I would have cleaned it out of the shell and from inside the crab to add to meat being collected, too.

[@EllaCruzfansite]

FACTS

[@dannylewis1235]

This lady is absolutely a national treasure! It's way early in the morning & this warmed my heart. May she be ever inscribed in the book of life. Thank you Ms. Hazel.

[@Samil101]

Not eating crabs and pork

[@ericwtfsky]

I'm such a fast talker with adhd, so i LOVEEE and feel SO calmed by people like her who just speak at such a nice steady pace and so graciously. She takes careful thought with every word just in her actions I'm sure. I could listen to her all day.

[@oldironsides4107]

Would be awful. I hate hearing old buzzards crow on and on. I’d just start nodding and filling my pockets up with crab and probably take her wig to stuff more crabs in to get the hell out of their.

[@ericwtfsky]

@oldironsides4107 no1 asked, wtf u expect from an interview Ironically u crowing on like some grumpy middle aged grump who's most likely single

[@lchurt220]

I never knew there was a career in crab picking. Miss Hazel Is a gem ❤

[@vontyre7258]

This is something that happens in beaufort county 2 to 3 seasons out of a year

[@BornFree0731]

Where did you think crabcakes came from??

[@aquariusthompson8212]

​@@vontyre7258wow that's really dope. You live there or you go there to visit for the event?

[@daytonwoodford4386]

Yep crabs can’t pick them selves

[@aquariusthompson8212]

@@daytonwoodford4386 yeah I thought prep cooks, factory machines or ppl at home did the crab picking lol. I also never knew ppl did crab picking specifically for a job title/career. Y'all don't need to keep coming for the person lls everybody don't know everything and jobs aren't the same in every area across the world.

[@silverdollartrap]

Dear Ms. Hazel, I met your nephew, Rodney, today at the Silver Dollar in Florida. I told him I was from Maryland, and he said he was from Crisfield. I immediately told him about my memories of Crisfield being known for the infamous crab pickers. He shared your story, and I was mesmerized! I have such fond memories of visiting there and being in awe of your skills! To this day, I am a very, very clean crab picker. You have such a wonderful nephew and I sure do hope I get to meet you some day when you visit him! Fondly, Laura Anthony Hohman

[@wyleangilyard7637]

Silver dollar is in Tampa Fl.

[@evanoneill619]

How do their crabs look? I live right over the HF bridge, and st.pete doesn't have any good spots that I've found.

[@wyleangilyard7637]

@evanoneill619 They have a crab spot in st pete

[@TheRealEvvonne]

@@wyleangilyard7637that’s what she SAID. She said Silver Dollar, Florida. She said she is FROM Maryland.

[@evanoneill619]

@@wyleangilyard7637 Yeah, they have plenty, and they're trash.

[@citizencoy4393]

Never knew this was a career! I am a natural crab picker! When u have a big family u learn to pick them fast. And elders wouldn’t let u get another crab if u didn’t pick them properly!

[@shakirahill885]

Exactly. Catch on fast or you’ll get none lol

[@PhotographyInFlight4183]

Don't be messin over them crabs!

[@citizencoy4393]

@@PhotographyInFlight4183 I know😭. I’ve cut out the pork now I have to stop with the crabs and shrimp.

[@topshelf6771]

Yes Crisfield and used to have about 10 crab houses at one point and if you were a good picker you could make some good money back in the day. I know being a city girl when I picked I made just enough to get my school clothes.

[@RessurrectionGraves]

You right about that!!

[@tobyihli9470]

She doesn’t look to be in her ‘80s! She looks terrific! Adorable!

[@wayneroberts4144]

A touch of genuine America here and a throwback to simple times..........

[@jeffreygeorge219]

Im from Md, if a crab hits the floor, it gets eattin...$80 a dozen, im ready to eat the shells... This woman makes me smile, love to crack a cold beer, crack some crabs and listen to her storiess..

[@hefner28]

Wow 80 dozen.. Go crabbing anywhere in va beach or Norfolk, fill up your bucket in 1 hour.

[@jazzfeline5970]

@@hefner28 That's where I live. After learning how easy catching crabs is, I I will NEVER pay $80 a dozen. If you have a tiny boat (even a kayak) and know the right spots on the river, you can fill up a bucket in just an hour or two like you said.

[@msgina6655]

I’m from Maryland and I have never paid 80.00 for a dozen of crabs 🤔🤔

[@mrdcato]

Incredible, she is sharp as a razor. She looks like she could win a competition blind-folded!😳

[@Antos137]

I could sit and listen to Mrs.Hazel for hours.Such a sweet and kind lady.May she be blessed with good health for many years.

[@tucksheezy05]

We must protect this woman at all costs

[@williamlackey123]

81 year old… Sweet mama is a sweetheart! God bless her! 💜💯💪

[@mikaa444]

Wow, my Grandma used to pick crabs for a living. God rest her soul! ❤

[@dianechance2200]

My mother picked them also

[@HeyitsBri_]

So many people live their lives without finding people and things that truly bring them joy in life and Ms. Hazel has both in abundance. Bless her! May we all find this happiness

[@nappyblack8002]

What an amazing, hardworking, beautiful queen. Bless her.....

[@Btn1136]

She like a piano player not looking at the keys. Truly an artist!

[@michaelhemphill8575]

Miss "Hazel" is so"Gangsta"..she is not even really even looking ..once she touch the crab..muscle memory goes to work"..reminds me of my "Grandmother "!!

[@bourbontrail565]

This Queen is Americana. Everyone should hear her story at some point/stage in their lives. So Happy I Did . Thanks For Sharing!

[@syreetacarroll7414]

Beautiful at 81 years young 💙💜💛💚🧡

[@cleaningcrew6657]

OH! Never knew there was such a thing as a "Crab Picker". I'm from New York, even Long Island! What is done with all the crab's bodies that are discarded? Will they be boiled down to make seafood stock? May Lady Hazel live as long and joyful as her heart's desire.

[@symone9156]

I believe the shells are provided to watermen, to use as bait.

[@topshelf6771]

It’s funny I’m a NY’er also from Long Island, but I spent my summers in Crisfield and actually know Ms Hazel. I learned to pick in a “Crab House” and was able to spend my summers making money for the upcoming school year. You can get your hands pretty cut up if you’re not careful, but once you get the hang of it you can get the most meat out of a crab without using your teeth.😅 I even taught my daughter how to pick.

[@cleaningcrew6657]

@@symone9156 What's a Watermen?

[@buckesmalls]

I grew up in OCMD my uncle is a waterman and had a lady that picked for him. Flora Purnell, she also cleaned ducks and geese for us $1 a duck $1.25 a goose. She was a a really good lady who always had a smile on her face. I miss the eastern shore and the people who live there.

[@TW-mg3ld]

Where do you live now

[@buckesmalls]

Colorado.. Moved here in 93' @@TW-mg3ld

[@ANGELSLVME]

I’m the odd one that Loves that MUSTARD! Grew up eating crabs and those freaking GNATS( if you know, you know)❤

[@brianbogan175]

Its times like this that reminds me of my Grandfather. I would just sit and listen to whatever he wanted to talk about. I miss him. 😢 Heck, I'm going to miss her when the Video is over. 😂🥰🥰

[@justdoinit2378]

Hurricane hazel is a great name lol peace love n blessings to her!!!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Miss Helen that was a marvelous demonstration and explanation of how to shuck and demeat those crabs. You are a treasure and wonderful person. Thanks for sharing with us, stay safe and don't forget the fun times. Fred.

[@Vferrell83]

Thank you, for this!!!! She's so wonderful, and we need to learn not just this but the lesson she spoke of..TEACH the younger ones the responsibilities of working and spending funds.

[@BigChefthefoodreviewer]

Can I have those claws for my gumbo 😂

[@Fmr.PBAJoeJenkinsII]

God bless you, ma'am. You're an amazing lady.❤

[@gerijohnson3850]

I love you Hazel. You are a living legend. So glad I have been able to meet you in person. Much respect. Great interview. See you in September!❤

[@nickawilliams5175]

I wish I could have those claws. My, my, my.

[@aland.3728]

We Marylanders have this down to a science! Maryland Blue, the best!!! And our Rockfish too!

[@LaurenStephanieSmith]

Thank You 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 beautiful lady 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kashmoney1043]

Ohhh I'd so love to spend a day with this Culinary Queen! ❤

[@TheRealEvvonne]

Y’all need to CHILL in the comments. This is not an American vs Non American thing. Everyone is DIFFERENT! I’m American and I eat the meat in the BODY of the crab and in the legs/claws. Some people only buy crab LEGS. I know some Caribbeans who don’t eat the legs. I know some people in NY who don’t eat the legs and some who only eat the legs. Where you from has NOTHING to do with how you eat crabs. So STOP with the separation mentality Gheesh!

[@loyaltyforroyalty6041]

Me too💯💯💯💯

[@KAMALAISHERNAME]

Exactly

[@PracticalOutdoorist]

This lady is such a GEM ! This is what we need is strong women and men passing this technique onto the next generations. God bless this great lady. Thank you for this informative video

[@nathanstrickland6508]

What a sweet lady, I could listen to her all day.

[@trolltrolling9022]

I’m sorry I eat the ones that fall on the floor too😂😂😂

[@Nobility731]

I remember Neptune in Newport News Virginia back in the day they had some great crab pickers as well , mazing times back then , she taught alot of people .

[@dougdumbrill7234]

Like a pianist, she neve has to look down!😮

[@RareGem-82]

those legs can be eatin😂

[@justdoinit2378]

This make me want some crabs 🦀

[@jovanottic53]

This video was amazing! God bless this lady, it’s amazing that she doesn’t even have to look at what she’s doing. I’m sure she can do it blindfolded. What a wonderful lady. God bless her.

[@pro_diesel]

humble and determined....What America used to be. Its people like her that deserves national attention!...WE have lost our way, America!!

[@ThaBigGuychef]

Dang i Miss my og’s man . The days we used to sit on the creek catch fish and cook it there . Wild fruits where everywhere.

[@johnmertens4360]

Ms. Hazel is so darn cute ..I would love to meet her someday ...keep doing your craft ..God Bless You ❤

[@shevelleht]

She’s adorable! ❤

[@rennyray11]

The meat is on the inside of that crab! That crab would have just went home with me, not in the trash 😂

[@renderuntocaesarwhatiscaes2300]

This lady is a master of art. A genius at her craft!!! Those crabs look absolutely delicious 😋

[@michelleramsey4302]

Thats exactly what i said, she is an ARTIST...

[@MRBJT51]

That is awesome that you can actually do that!.... You have to appreciate the years and the amount of crabs that have been cleaned to get to that point. Somebody commented on doing this same exact technique... I'm 50 and never even seen this technique and have been around fish and crabs my whole life. For those that don't understand the build of these blue crabs... they can be a novice crab eaters nightmare!! with plenty of wasted meat, hand slices and lots of spitting out plastic like pieces of crab.... kudos to you ma'am.

[@beardedelephant3023]

You know you’re the champ when you can have a casual conversation while bustin down those crabs

[@MrMixItup]

I'm from Detroit and we never picked crabs, or peeled crawfish. I didn't learn any of those things until I started visiting my family in Louisiana. But then again, life is different down south, you learn quickly how to assimilate to the culture.

[@silvermediastudio]

This is the most Maryland thing on the internet. Thank you Hurricane Hazel! Keep on pickin'.

[@michellebutler3467]

My momma and me would pick crabs and make the best Maryland crab cakes mustard Mayo old bay garlic onion bread crumbs and for some friends we would put green and red peppers in them❤yummy

[@jbshascommon4687]

I would adopt this woman as my grandmother in a heartbeat!!

[@JasonRyanWilson410]

UHMAZINN! Bless big momma. That's what the world is missing is that strong Matriarchal figure! Larger than life!

[@horus4153]

I'd have someone over there getting the claw meat,instead of throwing it away in the trash 🗑 😂

[@CaptainSloose]

Hurricane hazel is a national treasure. I could sit and listen to her all day.

[@Wise_Observant]

@Bloveslife should do a collab with this lady and/or The Crab Place! I’m sure that would be fun!

[@matthewlooby3708]

Special human. Thank you for sharing her story.

[@Pgschool37]

My very first job at 14y/o was picking crabs. I'll never forget the lady that introduced me to it. This brings back some good memories.

[@elainerobertson7329]

Shes just precious! I love this..shes right Florida crabs are not the same as Chesapeake.

[@chaunceyrickard231]

They are bigger and sweeter

[@JustJami74]

Ms. Hazel is so sweet and she is a great teacher. ♥

[@tireflipper8000]

Sweetest soul. Reminds me of my Grammy. God bless this woman.

[@benfrazier8385]

God bless the man/woman who findeth joy in their work or labor!!! A real blessing to watch and listen to ❤❤❤ 💯

[@veronawebb9500]

I have so much respect and admiration for Hurricane Hazel. She is a gem. I’m very familiar with people who pick crabs for a living. Many of my NC relatives pick or picked crabs for a living also for YEARS! God bless them all!!!

[@andyhan5008]

Wow when’s she’s picking them crabs, she doesn’t even look down when conversing with the interviewer. That’s freakin skills

[@Bsalty1975]

Much respect to this woman and a big hit the like off rip! Especially with a name like Hurricane Hazel..😊

[@sleo6664]

I Love Ms. Helen's description of "groupies" as a group from B'more that only picked 2 crabs while they did a bushel. 😅😅😅 She's too Cute!!!

[@moniquejohnson2465]

Hurricane Hazel was such a joy to watch... a beautiful soul and...great interview...I used to teach in Crisfield many many years ago. Many of my students' families shucked oysters too!

[@1thegreat841]

Much respect to this woman 🙏🙏🙏 I’m going to follow her way and her way only and she deserves global.. credit for this !! Legendary and I wish she was my grandmother 😔 I’d love to just sit with her and speak about it all with her she definitely knows what she’s talking about

[@chrisbaker5051]

Wow, amazing to watch her picking crabs so effortlessly. I will admit I gasped when I saw her dispose of the orange eggs in the female crabs (located on top when you open them and in the shell). The eggs have so much flavor and a MUST for She-Crab Soup. Don’t discard those eggs! ❤

[@sango_wilko851]

This woman not only busted her ass to support her children, she strived to instill in them not just a useful skill but a desire to work and capability to survive in the world. What an incredible woman who we can all look up too.

[@mauriceshavers8871]

Yummy yummy yummy 😋🤤!

[@andrewfyakim525]

I'm the worst crab picker, but I keep on trying! I learned a lot here in the past 24 minutes; thank you Ms. Hazel!.... I was very happy to hear her say she teaches people how to do this all the time. There are a lot of skills that become a lost art because the experts can't or won't take take the time to teach others; once again, thank you Ms Hazel! ☺

[@jakeMontejo3272]

Throwing away that crab butter though

[@Greenliight]

It’s a digestive/filtering gland so depending on where you catch them it can be unsafe to eat in larger quantities, I know some people think it’s good but to each their own

[@jakeMontejo3272]

@@Greenliight Family and everyone I know been eating them our whole lives. It’s similar to liver, it doesn’t hold impurities it filters them, there’s a difference. Just like any liver it directs the impurities out of the body, not hold on to it.

[@torrencecullen3877]

May the Lord, continue to bless Ms.Hazel! Outstanding video❤

[@Gagazoot]

What a sweetheart❤My cousins and aunties and uncles all hail from Baltimore,MD. We always enjoyed getting crabs when we often visited. She looks amazing for 81. ❤must be the 🦀 picking and enjoying what you do. Good bless.❤

[@theresaluvspims6163]

What a joyous person! So confident about her craft. I could listen to her for hours. God Bless her.

[@almazing24]

She throwing away all the best parts of the crab the mustard and eggs

[@djsvikings9281]

She would be picking for processing for sale at stores. Now if eating for personal use then a lot of people eat the fat too.

[@symone9156]

Those can't be placed in a container and sold and that's what she is picking for. The meat is going in a container and will be sold.

[@briancrockett3625]

Ms Hazel, thank you for sharing your craft with us

[@riddell74]

Such a sweet lady … gracious in her introduction too.

[@chloewright4809]

Thank you Miss Hazel

[@PatriciaSmith-rp2kh]

My family hails from Crisfield, MD. Watching her brings back memories of many family gatherings. 😊❤

[@tammiettt]

C'mon people, Click the LIKE button... she could use your support!

[@geromebrown7582]

ITS HER PICKING THE CRABS FAST 🦀 WITHOUT LOSING ALL THE MEAT AND HER CASUALLY TALKING FOR ME … 😂 “QUICK” 🙌🏽 😅

[@rickpetersen41]

She’s picking crab without looking that’s experience.Awesome!!!

[@CartoonForFood]

I love this woman. She is a treasure on earth.

[@cynthiaWalker5226]

I don’t buy crabs now that I live alone. I never knew that this was an actual occupation. We were taught how to get the meat out of crabs when we were little kids growing up in the South. We were not allowed to eat them until we knew how. This was very interesting to watch! Thank You!

[@deborahbrown236]

Phenomenal woman...love her stories. Huge respect and admiration for this beautiful woman.

[@SS-kz4ne]

That's cool ❤😊

[@RessurrectionGraves]

I met her when we went last year. It was a great experience. It was a blessing to meet her.

[@jeansmith3064]

She is indeed a national treasure! I love watching and learning from these very talented and inspirational people. The fact that she can still do this as swiftly and skillfully as ever. Much love and respect for this wonderful lady.

[@davemazza791]

Mmmm.. I want some crab! 🦀

[@TW-mg3ld]

I haven't had a crab all summer and I live in Baltimore

[@candiced2138]

Thank you for everything you have done Mama Hazel. You are a Maryland treasure ❤️

[@YasmeenLee-di3vd]

Ms. Hazel you are amazing. Nostalgia!! Reminds me of being home in Baltimore in the summers. Crab Feast etc...

[@jerryhubbard4461]

The first crab she touched hit the floor. She threw it in the trash. That crab was not contaminate. Man o man get a bigger damn table