Butchers of the Kawarthas Jacob Hunter Jacob, 31, is the Butcher at One Fine Food, and he loves what he does. He started his career at the age of 14 working at The Butcher Block in Bridgenorth. I got a lot more passion and love out of working than I did school,’ says Jacob. He knew then that he would be a butcher. He was at The Butcher Block for 8-1/2 years until the owner, Craig Green, sold it and retired. Craig took Jacob under his wing and taught him everything he knew. ‘Craig was a lot like me. When he was younger, he had somebody to teach him. He was like a second father and made me feel a lot better than school did.’ After that, Jacob worked at a couple of grocery stores including Morello’s Independent Grocers. Jacob says, ‘Dave is a great guy.’ Jacob has been at One Fine Food for about 3 months now. He says, ‘I’m always learning – that’s the best part about being a butcher. I’m not arrogant thinking I know everything. I’m excited working at One Fine Food because Bryan, the General Manager, has a ton of knowledge. He is a trained chef and knows all about charcuterie, salami, dry curing and things like that.’ Lamb is Jacob’s favourite meat to break down. ‘It’s smaller and you can get some pretty cuts,’ he says. So what kind of personal life does Jacob have? He likes music. ‘I like a little bit of everything. I play guitar. I’ve had quite a few failed attempts at bands and being a rock star.’ (he laughs) One of the bands he was in for a few years was Goodbye to Babylon. ‘I was always the big dream when I was younger.’ Jacob’s family is in Lakefield. He grew up in Bridgenorth and has been in the area ever since. Page 10
By Karen Irvine Editor, ATOTK
