Free Range Butchers...good health and encouraging animal welfare...

Butchers are not really a great conversational piece I grant you...however, when it comes to the free range issues, I am encouraged by Cannings Butchers in Burwood Road, Hawthorn...here

I first came across Cannings a few months ago when I saw a big sign in his window announcing free range available...so after I searched the site, I thought now here's a young man who has covered just about everything in regard to good eating.  Sam Canning has an interesting background in butchery...here 

After Sam completed his four year apprenticeship and attained his Certificate III - Retail Meat Processing in 2001 and had a short period of butchering for both leading supermarkets in Melbourne, he chose to pursue professional ambitions abroad.  Whilst living in London, Sam worked for The Ginger Pig, a business that farmed their own pigs, cows and lambs in Yorkshire and sold them through their London shop and Borough Market stall...this is where Sam learned the art of dry-ageing beef.

2009 saw him back in Melbourne and managing Polkinghorne's in Albert Park - another paddock to plate style, boutique butcher.  It was during the time spent with Polkinghorne's that Sam chose to focus all of his experience and after six months of business planning, Sam's first day of trading at Cannings was 18 July 2010...here

After a humble start with only three employees, Cannings went from strength to strength and in two years has a dedicated team of 12 people...here...They were recognised as Melbourne's finest butchers in the Age Good Food Shopping Guide 2011...But more importantly according to Sam, the loyal community of Hawthorn West chose to support free-range, ethically farmed meat.  Sam believes that this brings us to a world where animal welfare is encouraged and intensive farming is not accepted. 

Image - Cannings - Sam is on the far right!

After my first purchase and eating of their products, I immediately decided that they have excellent produce and are now a regular customer.  The free range chicken particularly is delicious, so tasty and very good value...Unlike a lot of butchers, they have very good quality fish...and yes, they are caught in Port Phillip Bay, Lakes Entrance,  Noojee inland farm, Queensland and other areas in Australia...and the banana prawns are huge and so sweet...here

With the coming of Christmas getting closer by the day I think you would be interested in their list of Christmas orders...the choices are varied and reasonably priced...here...Whilst talking to Sam, it seems that the orders are filling very quickly so you would need to get your order in early so as not to be disappointed, you can do all that online...here

One other wonderful experience in Cannings is the knowledge and service and...

 the excellent hints on how to cook the products... I love that...Wendy

Closing down...Zuzana and her gorgeous hats and jewellery...

Back on 6 September you might recall I told you about some of the many spring fashions and one of them was Zuzana Vranovska and her delightful shop in Kings Arcade, Armadale.  It was sad to receive an email from Zuzana telling of her need to close her shop at the end of this month.

Zuzana opened the doors of her small but very special shop four years ago.  Although Zuzana is sad to be leaving, she is going to continue doing what she loves and does best and you will soon be able to find her work online and there will be also other activities which she will keep us all informed about...here

Remember if you have a special order or are in need of repairs please do not hesitate to contact her, she is always very helpful and most willing to please.  

From now until the end of the month, Zuzana has everything on Sale...do try and drop in to see her, she really has some delightful jewellery, quite different and very well priced, and of course her hats are unique.

Zuzana Vranovska will close on 30 November and I wish her well for the next new and exciting phase of her online business...

Zuzana Vranovska, Shop 8 Kings Arcade, Armadale...here