Rachael, from Stanley, was working in the café at Broom House Farm near Witton Gilbert when she was offered a switch to their on-site nationally acclaimed shop and butchery - last year voted the best in the country.
During the last 12 months “her potential and enthusiasm” was recognized by the craftsmen in the shop and she accepted the offer to take up an apprenticeship.
Scrutiny of her on-the-job training will be monitored until 2026 by the industry specialists Meat Ipswich until 2026 through a series of assessments. Her supervising mentor at Broom House will be one of the shop’s own time-served butchers, Vincent Syson. As well as being a Durham City Freeman Vincent is also deputy warden of their Butchers’ Company, which welcomed the 500th anniversary of the granting of its charter in 2020.
Rachael will use her £400 award from the freemen to buy a set of knives, sharpening steel and chain mail apron and glove.
“We are tremendously proud of our award-winning status and the home reared lamb, pork, beef and mutton which we sell through the shop. We are also committed to making sure our craft is preserved and ensuring our farm-to-fork skills are passed on to future generations,” said Vincent.
“We work with whole carcasses of meat reared on this farm, which come to us in their entirety. It’s something of dying art but provides customers with a better quality and wider of choice of cuts of meat. The alternative, known as ‘boxed beef,’ is a cost-cutting convenience adopted by many butchers – a practice which involves animals being cutting up at slaughterhouses before being sent out ready to be put on display,” he added.
Eric Bulmer, chairman of the charitable trustees, said: “I am delighted the trust is able to support Rachael on her journey towards developing skills in a craft which has historic connections with the city and we wish her every success.”
