We caught up with Mike, Jamie and Alan, our trio of wonderful butchers to find out a bit more about them....
Jamie Barnett, Butcher
What do you enjoy the most about being a butcher in Balliefurth Farm Shop?
‘I enjoy creating new products in the back shop, sausages, burgers, or a new cut of meat to promote for the counters or catering companies.’
Why did you get into butchery?
‘Was not my first choice! I wanted to be an archaeologist, but I still work with bones anyway. My first encounter was in my home town of Dornoch, where I grew up, got a job locally and stayed with it.’
Favourite cut of meat to prepare?
‘Rolled sirloin of beef, just looks fantastic when hand rolled.’
Favourite cut of meat to eat?
‘Bone in shoulder of lamb, slow roasted for 5 hours, yum!’
Michael Mustard, Butcher
What do you enjoy the most about working in the shop?
‘Serving the locals and holiday makers who come into the shop year after year, always a story to hear or tell!’
Why did you get into butchery?
‘My father moved to the area during the war, he started up the local butchers shop, which I took over when he retired.’
Favourite cut of meat to prepare?
‘For me it has to be a Leg of lamb, just looks so good when done the old fashioned way.’
Favourite cut of meat to eat?
‘I prefer a loin of pork rolled with scored skin roasted.’
What do you enjoy doing outside the shop?
‘Cars are a favourite passion of mine and I have a nice Porsche, which I bought a few years ago, I also collect guitars from time to time.’
Alan Kennedy, Butcher
What do you enjoy the most?
‘Serving the public and craft butchering behind the scenes.’
Why did you get into butchery?
‘In the late 70s I got a job with a local butcher in Grantown on Spey and just stayed with the profession from there.’
Favourite cut of meat to prepare?
‘I enjoy butchering a whole pig, as there is so much variation of cuts to choose from.’
Favourite cut of meat to eat?
‘Has to be a nice leg of pork, roasted with skin crackling.’
What do you enjoy doing outside the shop?
‘I make shepherds crooks and walking sticks as a hobby as I was raised on a local farm called Lower Dell in Nethy Bridge.’