Hi all

I just wanted to put a gripe on about work volatility as an external worker in a non IT/Banking sector, specifically with employers like the Metzgerei in Jelmoli, where many of you have been buying my bacon.

They anounced last month, that my work days for March would be reduced to five, as I was too expensive, and they were employing a cheaper, less experienced guy.
I told them I felt this was unreasonable, and that I could hardly plan my budget from month to month on the basis I didn't know if I would be getting a weeks work, a full month, or however much work they decided to give me. Anyway, the upshot was I refused to go in on 1 March, and they have fired me.

They do however want me to continue to provide my products so, at least for the time being, you will still be able to get bacon there.

If anyone is interested in my forthcoming plans, please check out the commercial Market place thread.
Hopefully MacVicars bacon will not bite the dust as a result of this temporary hiccup

Colin

Sorry to hear that Colin. I don't get to Zürich very often but when I have, I have enjoyed your products very much. Hopefully you can find a good sales platform to get your meaty delights to expats all over Switzerland.

Dude, that's a shame. I know that your bacon is very popular as the girl who usually serves me told me that it sells out very quickly. It seems a bit odd that they would fire you but still want you to provide them with a source of income. Tight fisted bunch of #@!@'s

That thought also crossed my mind. They gave me a raise in November too!

Start own butchers?...get lots of ex-pats happy to buy bacon and sausages from you.
I for one would love it if a butcher would set up who could also do different cuts of meat eg. leg of lamb.

I agree with starting your own place. I would at least promise to pass the word on to everyone I work with (grad student at the uni so many people ). From the comments that others have made on previous posts I think you'd be good for the business. Let Jelmoli's suffer with their less experienced butcher. Once sales drop they will be begging you to come back!

Had my own some years back in Dürnten. Not something I would rule out again, but currently not feasible financially.
I was thinking more specialist cuts that ex pats like. I have certain things in mind, but please check out the commercial thread. I'm interested to know what people want.
Leg of New Zealand lamb is available in many Migros freezer section, Altstetten I recall seeing most recently. Also take a look in some of the Greek and Turkish shops for fresh lamb. Sadly no mint sauce, but check out the expat stores.

Sorry to hear about your worries. Have you considered a stand at the Hauptbanhof Wednesday market? There are always good quality stands there.

Interesting point. Someone mentioned Burkliplatz too. It is definitely something I will look into, as many expat housewives don't want to get it from a pub with kids in tow.

There is also a market in Oerlikon on Saturday mornings. We tend to go to that one just because of work requirements on Wednesdays - but I'm not sure which gets more business.

@ Colin: I assume you are/were the only Scottish butcher at Jelmoli, oder? If so, I am truly sorry to hear about the way they treated you - I have always enjoyed buying the best T-Bones in Europe from you.

Best wishes for the future!

Amen!

And chicken thighs too - best for curry.

BTW, a friend invited me for lunch over Easter. They had a roast leg of lamb which they bought in Hinwil Carrefour. Fresh, not frozen. I would think they do it at the one in Dietikon too.

Colin do you know where i could get things like pigs trotters and belly pork? There for a pate and the trotter is important for the jelly.

Almost certainly the Schlacthof (slaughterhouse), but I will check and get back to you. The problem is, they only sell to the trade generally, although I did arrange a sucking pig for a buddy one time. IE. bigger, bulk items.

I wonder if our paths have crossed as I saw this thread Just had me head kicked in and saw that you were in Dübendorf. I'm often in the Shannon, and sometimes the Churchill, so say hi if you hear my name.

I'd break my diet for some peppered beef jerky (aka Biltong).

Can't really see too many Swiss gnawing on a stick of biltong though...

I believe I've seen it somewhere in the forum, but can't find it now. However http://www.sa-shop.ch/butchery_biltong.htm looks a good bet.
I'm pretty certain we had it at Jelmoli too.

Colin, sometimes you can be too helpful

New diet = Biltong, Ouma Rusks and coffee.

Best of luck too you! When I get back I'll be having much braai so knowing a butcher would be good.

What about sourcing some wild boar? Particularly wild boar sausages...

I have seen some at Markets. You've just got to watch out for them. But I'm not sure when the hunting season is over. They're probably seasonal like venison, and wild fowl.

My apologies, on closer inspection, they're NOT actually based in Switzerland.
But I had Biltong from Jelmoli only a couple of months back.