About Charlie the butcher

Welcome to my meat and all things meaty blog. It covers everything from cleavers to cooking with an ounce of other choice cuts along the way.  I’m a young butcher in a old man’s trade.

About me? Well,  I am a butcher by trade in London’s Borough Market, but here is a little background information about me.

It all started years ago with long winter nights curing my own pork belly to make decent streaky bacon and grinding away on a hand meat mincer to make bangers. This passion soon led to me packing my bags and with a little savings move up to Leeds, Yorkshire, England to study Meat Technology at Leeds Thomas Danby College (which is one of only a small handful of Colleges that offer such a course).

My year at Leeds was amazing ‘meating’ great people in halls, College and other randoms I bumped into along my way. Apart from watching my beloved football team Leeds United getting relegated that season. It was a fantastic year and I learned a huge amount at College from my tutors, Dave and Chris. I have the upmost respect for both of them. I even managed to win an award with my classic pork, honey and wholegrain sausage and pork, Scrumpy Jack and  homegrown bramley apples. This meant a lot to me and has given me the drive ever since. I even went on BBC Radio Leeds and made page 7 in The Yorkshire Evening Press.

When the year ended I had a couple of offers on the butcher’s block but decided to move back south to London and start my full time butchery career. This led me to Borough Market, the home of good seasonal food capital of London.

Please feel free to contact me and comment on the blog.

Testimonials

SHE magazine – December 2010 ….

Christmas is coming

…… interview about the run up to Christmas.

Time Out – December 2010 ….. ‘Make the most of your meat …. six suggestions to ensure fleshy delights …..’

Cooking advice from Charlie - Time Out, Dec 2010

Yorkshire Evening Press “Award winning banger with all the right ingredients”

BBC Radio Leeds (2007) “sausage king”

Meat Traders Extra (2008) “Charlie has the right ingredients”

BBC Radio London (2009) “Passionate young butcher”

Time Out London (2009) “Charlie Shaw butcher of distinction”

Olive Magazine (Jan 2010) – Rosie Lovell of Rosie’s Cafe & Deli, Brixton … “… with meat from Charlie in Borough, follow his advice …”

Olive Magazine (Feb 2010)  “Charlie Shaw is a meat fiend. As well as working as a full time butcher at London’s Borough Market, he also writes this lively and well-illustrated blog packed with tips, recipes and ideas for getting the best out of your meat.”

Awards

Manager – Butchers Shop Of The Year (London & South England) 2010

Meat Traders Journal “Runner up Young Butcher of the Year 2008”

British Pig Executive “Pork, honey and wholegrain mustard Sausage”

British Pig Executive “Scrumpy, pork and fresh Bramley apple sausage.”

The Worshipful Company Of Butchers : Gary Baker Award 2010

Media and Publicity

Radio

BBC London

BBC Leeds

Television Appearances

BBC Master Chef

Good Food Channel- Market Kitchen

BBC- Uncut

BBC Three- Chop Idol

UKTV Food- Market Kitchen

Publications

The Guide G2

Time Out

The Times

Meat Traders Journal – Training Supplement December 2009,  “… he has made something of a name for himself … ”

Jamie Oliver Magazine