Andrew McConnell’s specialty butcher and wine store is a one-stop-shop for dinner in a pinch. The chef opened the butcher with ex-Peter Bouchier butcher Troy Wheeler, who has been a business collaborator with McConnell for a number of years (Wheeler teaches McConnell's staff to butcher meats in-house at his restaurants).
The meats are sourced from personally selected farms, which they smoke, age and process in house. The staff are incredibly well-versed on everything from rare breeds to cuts, with some having worked at McConnell’s restaurants.
Wheeler, speaking to Time Out at Meatsmith, describes the partnership as “natural”. “I started butchering when I was a teenager and I’d always wanted to own my own shop, then Andrew and I decided to open a shop a shop together,” Wheeler says. “It was a long process and part of that was deciding on what a good butcher shop should offer – it should have a connection to local farming, and offer items that will go with the meats, like wine, pantry essentials and condiments made by Andrew’s team.”
Andrew McConnell’s specialty butcher and wine store is a one-stop-shop for dinner in a pinch. The meats are sourced from personally selected farms, which they smoke, age and process in house. The staff are incredibly well-versed on everything from rare breeds to cuts, and some have even worked at McConnell’s restaurants.