Have I mentioned before how much I love the Manotick Village Butcher? Um, maybe a few times, no? I love going in there. I never go when I’m in a hurry, because I’ve learned to leave time for chatting, and I rarely leave without a smile on my face. And that’s not even getting into how amazingly scrumptious my hamburgers are now with high-quality, local, sustainably-raised beef.
So when Simon had to do a school project on people who work in the neighbourhood, we asked if they’d be interested in being “interviewed” by a Grade 1 student. And they said yes! So last Saturday afternoon, Simon and I went to visit the butcher. Here, in more or less Simon’s own words transcribed, is what a butcher does.
What does a butcher do?
He cuts meat. Meat comes from animals like cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys.
The butcher doesn’t cook the meat.
The butcher makes steak, sausages, bacon, ribs and hamburger.
What does tools does he use?
The butcher uses different sizes of knives, some big, some small and some medium size. They are really sharp, so you don’t play around with them. He uses gloves that are made out of chains to protect his hands. He also uses a big saw that can cut right through bones. The saw turns a big piece of meat into small pieces that people buy to take home and cook.
He also used a machine called a grinder. He puts chunks of meat and it turns it meat that looks like spaghetti. He puts it all together to make hamburger meat.
The butcher works in a cold room that froze my nose. He has to wash his hands a lot.
The butcher makes sausages by stuffing meat and spices into pig intestines.
Different parts of the animal are used to make different kinds of meat.
I’ve gotta say, the butcher men were pretty nice to let me see all those cool things!
Thanks, James and Blair, for making Simon’s day!
Now comes the real challenge — did I mention that the presentation is supposed to be in French? Yikes! Okay: boucher, viande, vache, dinde, and erm… google translate, here I come!
Hi Dani,
I live just outside a large city as well, and I love the convenience of it, while still enjoying the quiantness of small town living.
Great job Simon!
Fantastic project! Glad they were willing to help and it looks/sounds like Simon had a good time.
You’re a great mother !!!!
Mom
Great job Simon! The french will come together, no worries 🙂
Those pictures take me back – my father had butcher shops while i was growing up – I was the only 17yr old girl I knew who spent her nights and weekends in a blood spattered smock! Although I now have mad knife skillz 🙂
Great report Simon! Love the part where you say *I’ve gotta say….*
My Dad would take us to the Butcher’s when we were kids. The butcher always gave us a free hot dog or piece of balony! Wish my Dad would have taken us to the Ice Cream store sometimes too! LOL
Looks like a lot of fun. My relatives own a butcher shop down in the Kitchener-Waterloo area but I’ve never seen the back of a butcher shop except on TV, and usually as a backdrop for intense action sequences. Great idea to get to know the people in your neighbourhood a bit better! I’d love to get my own tour – it’s that sort of experience that makes Doors open events so much fun. Lucky to get your own personal version!!!
It’s always important to know where your food comes from. Well done, Simon!