Rothbury's teenage butcher bucks the stereotype

Posted by The Journal on Oct 24, 09 12:25 PM in News

When you think of butchers, you may imagine plump, red-cheeked, jovial, older men.

And the stereotype is in part confirmed by the fact that the average age in the profession is 52.

Callum Garrick from Rothbury Family Butchers

But one teenager in Northumberland is doing his best to change all that.

Seventeen-year-old Callum Garrick, who works at Rothbury Family Butchers, is cooking up a storm in the trade.

Already at such a tender age, he has won three awards for his dishes.

In the recently held 2009 Q Guild Smithfield Awards, one of the most prestigious affairs in the meat industry, he picked up golds for his pork, caramelised onion and cracked black pepper burger, his dry cured bacon and his smoked bacon.

The latter two dishes were rated at 92% and an incredible 99%.

And his career as a butcher could be set to go with a bang(er) as he prepares to enter another contest with his sausages.

Callum is to travel to the British Pig Executive roadshow at Harrogate in November to take part in the young sausage maker competition with his pork, tomato and cracked black pepper sausage, and his pork, apple and cinnamon sausage.

The teenager, who lives at Wagtail Road in Rothbury, became interested in being a butcher when he did work experience at the Town Foot shop when in year 10 at Morpeth King Edward VI School.

Callum took a Saturday job there and on finishing school in summer 2008, he asked shop owner Morris Adamson for a job. Morris had no vacancies but was so impressed by Callum's attitude that he created one for him - as the shop's first apprentice.

The youngster said: "It is not like any normal job really, every day is different.

"It is much better than sitting in an office doing the same thing every day.

"You are dealing with customers and it is a hands-on job.

"If you had asked me two or three years ago I would have said no but I like it, I really love it. It is a fantastic trade to be in."

Morris said: "It is a breath of fresh air having him here because he is only 17 and he is so confident.

"He is the future of butchery and its is marvellous to see him being so passionate about his job.

"You get some kids these days sit in front of their computer - he is a good lad.

"It is a pleasure having him."

Callum has proved a hit with the shop's regulars, Morris adding: "The older customers have got a glint in their eye when they come in and see him."

And the feeling is mutual for Callum.

"The older ladies who come in to the shop, they are the best laugh," he said.

"You try and make a little bit of conversation, you can stand and have a bit of a laugh. Some of them are dead funny."