Christopher C.
Yelp
The class is called "The Art of Butchery," and the Mosner family proves that it's an art. Seth, Jessica and Ben Mosner, along with master butcher Chris Bauso, make the day fun, informative, and practical.
To begin, once you're enrolled in the class, Seth provides you with all the information you'll need, from how to get there to how to dress. Whatever you do, pay attention to the dress code! It's cold in that meat locker! Kept at a uniform 32 degrees F, the hanging meat isn't the only thing that freezes...
When you arrive, you suit up in butcher coat and two layers of gloves (cotton/acrylic for warmth, blue latex for food handling safety). Then Ben takes great delight in leading the "Meat Cheer." This breaks the ice (so to speak) nicely, and sets the tone for the next couple of hours. Then it's on to the fun part -- getting to know our meat!
Did I mention that they have a whopping 250,000 pounds of meat on hand? That's 125 TONS. And that's what they go through in a week!
One can't help but notice how absolutely spotless and odor-free the facility is. I mean, this is clean enough that my Grandmother would have found nothing to complain about (and she was a fanatic when it came to cleanliness!). Seth, Ben and Jessica took the class through the facility showing us an entire veal carcass, explaining what veal is and how it's raised, and answering any and all of our questions.
Next, Jessica explained to us what meat labeling is all about. Think you know what "ALL NATURAL," or "NO HORMONES" mean? Curious about the difference between "GRASS FED" and "GRASS FINISHED?" Want to know if cows like corn? These mysteries and more were all revealed, some of which came as quite a surprise to the class.
Then, we did an about face and watched a true artist at work. Chris Bauso, master butcher, made quick work of an entire loin of a hog, quickly and efficiently reducing it to chops, roasts and stew. We were admonished to pay close attention, as it was our turn next.
But first, we were offered the opportunity to purchase prime meat from the Mosner's, and all at wholesale prices. Beef, pork, lamb...what could make a carnivore happier? I'll tell you what, exotic meat. Alligator, kangaroo (two kinds, I think), rattlesnake, rabbit (OK, not too exotic, but still).
Finally, the main event. On to the butchering floor for our hands-on lesson. We were all given half of a hog loin, either the roast or chop end. Working with knives that are sharp enough to shave with (and kept that way by honing them every five minutes or so), we worked at recreating what we'd seen Chris do. I won't tell you whether I succeeded, but I will tell you that I enjoyed myself no end. And, as if all of this weren't enough, at the end of the day, the meat you've butchered is packed, vacuum sealed and boxed up for you to take home. Does it get any better?
Actually, it does. The best part of the day for me came when I asked Ben, "So when will we get to see your reality TV show?" Ben chuckled and said, "Never. It's not like we haven't been approached, but we lack one crucial element of reality TV. There's no conflict between us." And it's true. One gets that idea that this family truly likes one another, and that they share a mutual respect that's rare. They really give the impression that not only are they family, but, at least for the time you spend with them, you're family too. And it really doesn't get better than that.
If you're a carnivore, take this class. Between what you learn, and the fun you'll have, it'll be worth its weight in pork!
Seth, Jessica, Ben and Chris, thanks for a great day!