Butcher's cheap cuts class is hit

Butchers in Wolverhampton have been "overwhelmed" by the number of customers keen to sign up for cookery classes using cheaper cuts of meat.

Rennisons in Queen Street is the city's oldest butchers shop and boss Peter Price said he had a waiting list of 58 people who responded to his offer of lessons to beat the credit crunch. Mr Price contacted the Express & Star with his idea in October and said he was only expecting a few people to be interested.

But he has had to go back to the drawing board to arrange a series of classes to teach customers how to get the best out of cheap cuts.

The shop offered similar advice to people on rations in the Second World War.

Mr Price said he was inspired by chef Jamie Oliver, who tried to get Rotherham residents to teach each other to cook instead of eating takeaways.

"We were looking at starting cooking classes if there was enough interest but the response has been fantastic," he said. "It's overwhelming – we can only really take 20 people at a time so we are going to have to run a few sessions.

"I'm trying to get everyone who can make it together for a session before Christmas." Mr Price also said he had had an approach from organisers at a centre for the under-20s in Willenhall and may be running a separate session for teenagers who want to learn to cook. "This would add another 40 or 50 people to the list," he said.

He said that cheaper meat can be just as tasty as the more expensive cuts if it is cooked in the best way. "It's a difficult time for everyone at the moment but it doesn't mean you can't still enjoy your food while saving money," he added. Mr Price said belly pork, cut from the underside of a pig, tasted just as good as more expensive cuts.

Among the bargains is stewing steak which can be bought for £1.20 a pound and is half the price of braising steak.

Rolled brisket costs £1.88 per pound and can be cooked the same way as topside of beef, at £2.55 a pound. Call the shop on 01902 421261.