Butchery courses for the home cook
Should you slow cook lamb shoulder? What’s the best value cut of pork? Whether you are a keen cook or you want to get more meat for your money a butchery course at Parsonage Farm will give you the answers.
Idyllic Parsonage Farm, located in Upton near Andover, is a small family-run farm where grass-fed pigs and cows are reared. Sarah and John Mills took over from John’s aunt in 2000 and have worked hard to grow the farm.
The classes are held on-site in the farm’s small butchery. A jug of warm coffee welcomes participants before Mike, the farm’s experienced butcher, takes to the block to begin an informative and entertaining evening packed with meaty facts, butchery and cooking skills.
The informal setting and atmosphere encourage questions with Mike the butcher managing to answer them all whilst dexterously deboning a lamb. The class is about more than just butchery. As a keen cook Mike slips in recipe advice and serving suggestions which stimulates discussion amongst everyone taking part.
An hour or so into the class and the butcher’s block displays a rolled lamb shoulder and half a rack of ribs. During a short break everyone tucks into some warming spiced lamb mince cooked by Sarah and accompanied by a local ale or wine.
The second part of the class gives participants the opportunity to get their aprons on a try what they have learnt. Mike supervises closely and with tips and plenty of safety advice. Before leaving participants choose some meat to take home with them.
The classes are fun way to learn about meat and how to get the most from different cuts. You will leave with plenty of new ideas, some impressive knife skills to show off to dinner guests, tips on saving money at the butchers, a full tummy and some new friends.
Parsonage Farm, a member of county food group Hampshire Fare, offers a range of classes including weekends and evenings. Sessions include Lamb Workshop, Pork Workshop, Family Sausage Fun and Butcher and Cook Workshop. Available to book as an individual or group and as a gift. The next courses will run on 10th and 15th April. Visit the Parsonage Farm website for more information or call 01264 736208. Courses can also be arranged for corporate events, hen and stag dos and other occasions.