The 1990s saw a dramatic increase in popularity of cooking classes. Greater influence from abroad saw Brits experiment with a wider range of different dishes and flavours. Cooking classes were a hit, especially with younger generations. Cooking classes were bursting from the seams and became a cultural phenomenon. The influence of the classes was so significant that many people began using them as a way to meet new people and make new friends.

Now however, butchery workshops have started taking over from the traditional cookery class as millions want greater involvement in their food preparation. People are becoming more conscientious of where their food is sourced from and hope to have more control. Scandals such as the horsemeat saga that has hit a number of food producers and suppliers has led to lower levels of trust in people of their food providers.

Butchering allows people to have control over what food is being consumed by themselves and their family. Butchery workshops teach people about the wide range of different skills and techniques that are required in butchering. The workshops also impart health and safety knowledge to ensure that novice butchers will not endanger themselves.

The majority of the skills imparted concern the safe and correct usage of butchers knives: the bread and butter of the butcher’s tool set. Different jobs require the usage of different butcher knives depending upon size and intricacy. Butchery workshops will also educate attendees of the different knives that a required for different jobs.

The workshops ran by professional butchers also demonstrate the correct usage of steel sharpeners. Many people will have seen television chefs use the sharpening devices whilst paying little attention. This could lead the novices to perform the task in a somewhat over-zealous manner and may be potentially dangerous. The importance of using Steel Sharpeners is also taught by the experts.

The workshops provide an excellent opportunity for cooking enthusiasts who want extra freedom in the kitchen with their creations. Many people feel restricted by the cuts of meat that are available in their local supermarket. Rare cuts of meat are necessary for certain dishes and meals. Complete freedom of preparing cuts of meat will allow aspiring chefs to make dishes that they have only dreamed on.

Television programmes such as the Fabulous Baker Boys have put the possibility of personal butchering into the psyche of the public. Whilst it was once reserved entirely for the professionals, more and more people are feeling at ease with the prospect of personal butchering.