Susanna Freymark
Andrew Battistuzzi bends over the metal smoker he has set up at the farmers market at Crawford Square Park.
He puts Wardell pies into the smoker to add extra flavour.
“I whack them in,” he said as he slides a stout and chunky steak pie in for a smoking before the pies go into a hot display at his Fowl & Rabbit Butcher stall.
Andrew grew up on a 5-acre property in Casino. He is now a licensed butcher from Yorklea.
He used to work at the Casino meatworks before starting his own private business – Fowl Rabbit Home Butcher.
For years, he helped his wife Alison Battistuzzi at her spices stall at the farmers market. Alison died in October last year from cystic fibrosis and her funeral was held at the market (See the photos here).
“I try to make some of her spices and sauces as a legacy to Alison,” he said.
“I use some of her Texas Rub spice, I use it on chicken. I use a few different spice mixes that Alison made in marinades.”
GHe has tried to make most of her spices but hasn’t had much luck, he said.
“Allycat (Alison’s nickname) had it down pat.”
Andrew has his regular customers.
He makes unique meat products such as smoked honey chorizo sausages, pizza sausages and Hungarian sausages.
He tries out spices in the rissoles and if it works he uses them in the sausages.
Andrew can be contacted at Yorklea or visit him at the Casino Lions Farmers market every Saturday 8am–11am at Crawford Square Park, South Casino.
Call Andrew on 0458 006 624 or 6663 7281.