Much Ado About Mutton

Description

Mutton is a great - as yet untold - story with its deep impact on the landscape, history and culture of these islands. This is its turning point. With current heightened public interest in traditional and wholesome meats, now is the time for a serious revival in the popularity of mutton. It once fed the nation and took pride of place on dining tables from peasants to royalty. With the backing of the Mutton Renaissance campaign, it is poised to make a comeback as its extraordinary health and environmental benefits are recognised. Bob Kennard addresses all the issues: what's a wether, mutton as a super-meat, mutton candles, mutton farming round the world, how sheep have shaped the landscape, mutton recipes, braxy ham, salt marsh mutton, butchery tips, lists of mutton breeds, directory of suppliers. AUTHOR: Bob Kennard has been in the food and farming industry for over 30 years, and for the last 20 years has been particularly involved with artisan meat production. His special interest has been mutton, and he was involved with the early stages of the Mutton Renaissance campaign. 284 colour and 16 b/w photographs, 25 b/w illustrations

Bob Kennard has championed mutton for over 20 years and his support for independent abattoirs has been honoured with a 'Best Campaigner Award' from BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme. With a degree in Agriculture, as a young man he spent over a decade in Nigeria, Swaziland and Malawi, working hands-on with livestock and small-scale farmers and then as an advisory consultant with bodies including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the EU. Back in the UK, from 1988 to 2008, he and his wife Carolyn set up and ran Graig Farm Organics, a pioneering and multi-award-winning organic meat company, which worked with local farmers selling their mutton and other meat throughout the UK. They also established a large organic livestock farmers' marketing group selling lamb and beef nationwide. Bob was a leading figure in the campaign to maintain the UK's network of small and medium-sized abattoirs and cutting plants. He has been involved in the development of the organic sector in the UK, in the Mutton Renaissance group, and as an advisor to various bodies including the Welsh Government.