Whole Hog Butchering & Charcuterie Workshop
Tuesday, April 19th, 5:30 pm
With practice and training, Chef Bruce Wieszala has mastered the ability to utilize an entire hog so as not to waste a single scrap. Using Italian, French, and American butchery techniques, he is able to yield the most desired cuts. Additionally, he deftly applies charcuterie techniques by smoking, curing, and otherwise preserving raw pork in order to create delicious items such as sausage, capicola, guanciale, porchetta di testa, bacon, and more.
This unique workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m. with delicious snacks and a cash bar furnished by Bistro Europa. The butchery demonstration will commence at 6pm, where Chef Wieszala will illustrate the step-by-step breaking down of an entire heritage breed hog from Lockport’s T-Meadow Farms, followed by recipe demonstrations for half a dozen preservation methods. Samples will be supplied by Spar’s European Sausage Shop. Guests will receive a recipe and resources booklet.
Artisan Kitchens & Baths features a fully-outfitted state-of-the-art kitchen and a dozen overhead flat screen monitors, insuring a good view from every seat in the house.
Similar events have been held around the country in progressive cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. Now we have the chance to see a Buffalo chef demonstrate this disappearing art using a pasture-raised heritage breed hog from our own backyard. Don’t miss this singular opportunity!
Chef Bruce Wieszala is a Buffalo native who returned home a few years ago after spending a decade in Atlanta. There he worked in the kitchens of that city’s best dining destinations including Emeril’s, the James Beard award winning JOEL, Woodfire Grill, the 5-star Mobile-rated Seeger’s and Restaurant Eugene. During his time in the south he had the opportunity to compete on Iron Chef America as a sous to challenger Chef Linton Hopkins. He also appeared on the Food Network’s Good Eats, hosted by Alton Brown.
Since returning to Buffalo Wieszala has worked in several area restaurants, most notably as the executive chef at the former Verbena, and now in the kitchen of the promising Bistro Europa.
Regardless of his position, Wieszala’s commitment to sourcing food from local farmers has been a trademark of his passionate cooking style. His skill as a chef/butcher has led him to teach several butchery workshops at culinary schools and chef conferences around the region. On his recent trip to Italy he worked beside the world’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini.
With the increasing popularity of homesteading, eating local, artisanal food, and food preparations, this is the perfect time for Chef Wieszala to share his knowledge and insight with us—the homecooks, chefs, culinary students, and foodies of WNY.
Artisan Kitchens & Baths
200 Amherst Street
Buffalo NY 14207
Tickets:$55 for sale at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/156129
