Good Northampton Butcher?

[SunofTzu]

@Edusites

Ok thanks, whilst it probably wouldn't be big business for them, I think there are at least 3 of us on this forum from around Northampton so they'd probably get something. Personally I'm not after a myriad of cuts just an unrolled brisket and a decent butt but obviously if I was going over to get those then I'd buy other more standard meat products (bacon & sausagemeat for fatties, pork ribs, beef ribs etc)

As an aside, this may be of interest to you. Last year, I located a local Northampton supplier with restaurant grade charcoal. KG Smith & Son (01604862261) are based in Hartwell (11 Forest Road), but have an outlet in Oakwood Rd Northampton (just off Kingsley Park Terrace - turning opposite the Tesco Express and literally 30 yards on the left). If you ring them they will send the charcoal to Oakwood Rd to collect if that location is more convenient (no min order amount). Last time I got some they did 12kg bags at £9.26 a bag. They tend to have considerably less slag in the bags than anything you'll get from a garden centre or B&Q plus much bigger chunks.

@Adie

Very good idea, if it could detail the cuts then it would also be useful to point a butcher to your proposed site so they could see what we were after (suspect though that would be a bit of effort to set up though )

[edusites]

Good call Adie. I've been thinking about where to source decent charcoal. I love local / traditional myself and found this:

http://www.hazelwoodlandproducts.co.uk/charcoal.htm

Bit of a trek mind.

[SunofTzu]

Never got any charcoal from them. I did drop in one time when my daughter was playing football in Corby not realising you need to contact them first, in the small print on the site, (hence no one was there) and they are quite hard to find as not very well signposted (literally up a dirt track into the wood). If you ever try their charcoal though let me know what it's like. The stuff from Smith & Son is good enough for me at the moment

[edusites]

Ha! Sounds like an adventure.

[edusites]

Found an article on making pulled pork in the uk which suggested using

a nice, fatty, boned piece of shoulder if you can’t get your hands on the exact cut.

http://www.gastronomydomine.com/?p=351

[edusites]

Useful thread here about cuts: http://www.bbbqs.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=693

[edusites]

@SunofTzu (and anyone else in Northamptonshire wanting classic American BBQ cuts)

Right... Had a good chat with Elliotts who have three butchers shops in Northamptonshire (Kislingbury, Towcester and Daventry) and I've got us three green light for pork butts (ask for collar or neckend), unrolled brisket and ribs, etc.

Kislingbury: http://www.elliottsbutchers.co.uk/elliotts-of-kislingbury.php

Towcester: http://www.elliottsbutchers.co.uk/elliotts-butchers-towcester.php

Daventry: http://www.elliottsbutchers.co.uk/elliotts-kitchen-deli-towcester.php

Here's what they said...

Having spoken to Nick (Daventry) today he said we can do all of the above, as can Richard (Kislingbury), we just need a bit of notice. If ever after anything a bit different your best port of call is Nick on 01327 878984 and whatever it is you're after can be collected from any of our three shops.

Apparently they can also get goat (think goat curry - yum), venison (see BBQ Pit Boys Recipe for venison chilli) and I think they could also get mutton (which I love).

How's that for service with a smile! I knew they would come up trumps for us.

[All Weather Griller]

Excellent! Good Work.

[LM600]

Superb Work Fella! Towcester is just up the A5 from me

[edusites]

Pretty pleased myself. Just need to get a bbq to cook those lovely cuts on. Probably Weber kettle. Probably later this month. Getting excited.