Butcher / Meat Cutter Career Guide

 

Butcher / Meat Cutter Quick Links

  1. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Description
  2. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Careers
  3. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Requirements
  4. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Education
  5. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Salary
  6. Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Videos
  7. Famous Butchers
  8. Butcher / Meat Cutter School Listings

Butcher's Guide to Cuts of Beef

 
Butcher's Guide to Cuts of Beef
 



By: Jen Jones

Butcher / Meat Cutter Job Description

Butchers cut, trim, and process a variety of meat, poultry, and fish for retail sale. This can include grinding meat for sausage, slicing deli meat, cutting and shaping meats from larger wholesale sized pieces to specific weights, and packaging and labeling meats meant for display to the consumer. On top of actually cutting and preparing meat, a butcher is also responsible for maintaining all equipment, sharpening knives, monitoring inventory, and tracking the freshness of meat. Most work in grocery stores or food processing facilities.

Butcher / Meat Cutter Careers

Experienced butchers are in high demand for several careers, the most popular include:

  • Meat Carvers are trained to be able to cut cooked meat to enhance presentation and flavor.  Meat carver’s services are often sought after at special catering events such as weddings or banquets.
  • Fish Cutters and trimmers usually work in factory settings and remove non-edible parts of seafood.  In retail environments, fish cutters and trimmers wait on customers and clean fish to order.  Some processing is also done on ships where seafood is caught and then flash frozen to preserve freshness
  • Meat Roasters, dryers, and fish smokers work mostly in animal processing plants and roast, bake, and dry a variety of meats using large machinery such as pressure cookers, ovens, and smokers.

Butcher / Meat Cutter Requirements

Points to Consider:

  • A butcher will be expected to lift heavy cuts of meat, work with potentially dangerous equipment, and may be exposed to extreme cold or hot temperatures.
  • Workers in food processing occupations have a higher rate of injury than other manufacturing workers.
  • Retail butchers interact with clients and fill special orders, but some butchers may work in specialty shops or food processing facilities where little interaction is required.
  • Concentration and stamina are two necessary skills needed to avoid injury and prepare products in a timely manner.

Butcher / Meat Cutter Education & Training

A high school diploma is sometimes the only education requirement, but a college degree is preferred, and applicants who have the education, experience, and training related to culinary arts have the advantage. Training is often done on the job, and there is much focus on food handling safety. Certification through a government agency in food handling safety may be a requirement.

Butcher / Meat Cutter Salary

A beginning butcher that has recently graduated can expect to make around $23,950 a year. But your as your gain skills and experience, your salary can grow. Also, if you own your own butcher shop or specialty meat business, the salary possibilities are nearly limitless.


Butcher / Meat Cutting Videos - Know your Beef





Famous Butchers

  • Dario Cechini is a renowned butcher with a shop in Panzano, Italy that draws tourists from all over the world. He has opened two restaurants to highlight his meats.
  • Macelleria Falorni is Italys most famous butcher shop that has been open since 1700 and still cuts and prepares delicious meats to order.

Ready to get started?

Check out our list of Butcher / Meat Cutting Schools

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