Butchers Bag Business Ideas to Beat the Credit Crunch

Nov. 10, 2008 - PRLog -- The Hartpury Business Networks “Beat The Credit Crunch” workshop and masterclass, held at Hartpury College Butchery Training Facility at Ensor’s in Cinderford recently, was hailed as a success by Robert Ensor, MD of Ensor’s and Sue Guilding, Food and Drink Manager of Hartpury College.

Run for local butchers from the Three Counties area, the aim was to show how to beat the credit crunch by the imaginative use of cheaper cuts of meat and on the role of “value-added” products, to enable butchers to quickly produce eye-catching counter displays in their shops.

Steve Sefton and Rob Parry from W R Wrights demonstrated the Raps UK Ltd range of products.  These innovative seasonings and flavourings were then used in a hands-on workshop, showing participants how easily cheaper cuts can be converted into a stunning counter display, maximising sales and profits.  The session ended with rapturous applause from a packed training room.

Comments from delegates included:
James Heggie of ‘Heggies of Hereford’
“This event has been very informative with worthwhile practical sessions and a demonstration of interesting techniques”.
Robin Jenkins of ‘Jenkins Butchers’
“This has been a very interesting and well-run event; I have really enjoyed the evening”.
Janet Philpotts from the Llandinabo Farm Shop
(Simply) “Outstanding”

Following a superb buffet, which included sampling some of the products produced, the sixteen butchers enjoyed a master class led by Dennis Elliot. As a BPEX judge and expert sausage maker, with over fifty years’ experience in the industry, Dennis demonstrated the versatility of the Devro casings.  His witty delivery kept the audience riveted and his anecdotes and advice were taken on board by one and all.

Without exception, the delegates left the event with plenty of ideas and a bag full of samples including sauces, seasonings, sausages and recipe ideas, courtesy of the event’s sponsors.

Participants also heard about the range of solutions available through Hartpury’s Centre for Rural Business, Enterprise, Skills & Training – from Food Safety, First Aid, and Manual Handling to NVQ’s in Food Manufacture, Customer Service and Business/Admin. Particularly highlighted were the new Apprenticeship opportunities for butchers from Hartpury College – a member of the National Skills Academy.

More Hartpury Business Networks events are planned in 2009, not only for the food and drink network, but also for other rural and land-based businesses.

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Situated with 360 hectares of beautiful Gloucestershire countryside, Hartpury College is an outstanding provider of sports science, equine care and management, animal science, agricultural and land management courses.