Snout to Tail

One of the most influential things that I learnt during filming the Karoo series was how these farmers respected the domesticated livestock that we all eat. As city slickers we are not only disconnected from where our food comes from, but many other aspects of our lives. For example, waste is a normal part of our lives – packaging, leftover food, expired produce – the list is endless. But on a farm your connection is rekindled and your attitude changes. Everywhere that we went in the Karoo we were met with overwhelming hospitality and more often than not, the farm owners would slaughter an animal for us. The experience is not pleasant but it’s the reality if we eat meat. The most fascinating part for me was the process after the slaughter. Every single part of the animal is used. Nothing goes to waste – and why would it when you’ve reared that animal from birth to death. The truth is that none of us – not even me – know how to do this anymore, and yet in the past this was essential to our survival. This is what I call forgotten knowledge and I believe it’s something that we desperately need to get back.

“Understand, when you eat meat, that something did die. You have an obligation to value it – not just the sirloin but also all those wonderful tough little bits.” -Anthony Bourdain