The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: ScotsGirl on August 21, 2013, 10:20:24 pm

Title: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: ScotsGirl on August 21, 2013, 10:20:24 pm
Does anyone know of any good courses in the south west?
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Bodger on August 21, 2013, 10:42:50 pm
Debbie and Simon are really good people and do really good courses.
http://www.hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk/ (http://www.hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: shygirl on August 21, 2013, 10:53:01 pm
thats a lovely website  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on August 21, 2013, 11:18:02 pm
Graham Waddington, who co-founded Trealy Farm and now runs Native Breeds is an excellent charcutier and runs courses at Kate Humble's farm in Monmouth - not far from the south west! Have a look at http://www.humblebynature.com/whats-on/view/998 (http://www.humblebynature.com/whats-on/view/998) The next one is on September 7.
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Possum on August 22, 2013, 09:28:55 pm
River Cottage in Axminster (Dorset/Devon border).
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Bodger on August 22, 2013, 10:49:03 pm
If you're minted. :innocent:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Padge on August 23, 2013, 09:14:58 am
If you're minted. :innocent:

I would say you gets what you pay for..............tho everyone is entitled to their opinion :sunshine:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Bodger on August 23, 2013, 10:39:42 am
OK Hugh :roflanim:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: sidds on August 23, 2013, 10:46:58 am
Try your local college, they run courses here in North Wales and you can get a 75% discount on fees if you have a holding no.
Worth a try
Only problem I found was not enough people registering so you have to wait for them to run course until it makes it viable.
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Padge on August 23, 2013, 11:39:13 am
OK Hugh :roflanim:

You would recommend a personal acquaintance and forum member of yours................I will speak with experience of both :eyelashes:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: hughesy on August 23, 2013, 03:46:16 pm
Try your local college, they run courses here in North Wales and you can get a 75% discount on fees if you have a holding no.
Worth a try
Only problem I found was not enough people registering so you have to wait for them to run course until it makes it viable.

I'll second that. I will add though that college courses tend to be focussed on the business aspect of meat production, aimed at butchers shop workers etc, so you won't be cutting up a carcass on some picturesque verandah over a glass of wine. You will learn a great deal of useful stuff though.
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Small Plot Big Ideas on August 23, 2013, 07:25:17 pm
Debbie and Simon are really good people and do really good courses.
http://www.hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk/ (http://www.hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk/)

I can't comment on their butchery courses but the general smallholding day we had with them last year was excellent and informative
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: TheGirlsMum on August 23, 2013, 08:00:57 pm
I went on a half day butchery course with Debbie and Simon and it was great.
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Padge on August 24, 2013, 06:43:01 am
We had a great time...................and they were fabulous people :sunshine:     but in honesty I would seriously struggle to recommend a butchery course...depends what you want/expect really.....and maybe just a little knowledge IS dangerous  ::)
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: smudger on August 24, 2013, 11:43:51 am
I think the problem with a lot of the riverside courses are 'demonstration / cook/taste type courses) (not all mind, before some one responds).


My recommendation would be to focus on the charcouterie end of things ie get the abbatoir to do the basic stuff (who has the space / equipment to cut up 30-40kg half pig?). ie bacon, sausages, gammon, ham etc
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Padge on August 24, 2013, 12:13:50 pm




My recommendation would be to focus on the charcouterie end of things ie get the abbatoir to do the basic stuff (who has the space / equipment to cut up 30-40kg half pig?). ie bacon, sausages, gammon, ham etc

That would have been my next offering too smudger.....the abattoir we used to use....sadly forced to close.......offered a butchery/curing tutorial/hands on for folk doing as we were   and we have locally a butcher who has a hugely keen interest in curing and charcuterie and is always interested in your efforts trials and tribulations and more than willing to help offering advice and assistance  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: JulieWall on August 24, 2013, 12:20:23 pm
Perhaps this link will be of some use to you.
http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=65 (http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112&Itemid=65)

I use these videos to hone my skills and refresh my memory every year, as butchery tends to be a once or twice a year task so you forget things - only remembering after you've done it the hard way  ::)
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: leaswood on September 03, 2013, 06:35:47 pm
Try your local college, they run courses here in North Wales and you can get a 75% discount on fees if you have a holding no.
Worth a try
Only problem I found was not enough people registering so you have to wait for them to run course until it makes it viable.

which college was this in n wales?
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: hughesy on September 03, 2013, 09:06:10 pm
which college was this in n wales?
Coleg Menai do courses at the Food Technology Centre in Llangefni, Anglesey. http://www.foodtech-llangefni.co.uk/en/ (http://www.foodtech-llangefni.co.uk/en/)
Title: Re: Charcuterie and butchering
Post by: Clive on September 05, 2013, 08:30:13 pm
I would also recommend Debbie and Simon. We had a great couple of days with them and learned loads!