Documentary maker Franck Ribière, known for his Netflix films Steak (R)evolution and Wagyu Confidential, is taking part in a ‘Meat and the Maker’ event with butcher MacDuff 1890 at Bonnie & Wild’s food hall in Edinburgh this Thursday (October 7).
The event celebrates the release of Ribière’s new film, Look Back in Angus, as well as the journey of Native Angus beef back from the brink of extinction onto Scotland’s dining tables.
Thirty years ago, the Native Angus was under threat to competition from larger continental breeds such as Charolais and Limousin. At one point in the 1990s there were only 27 of the cows in existence.
The campaign to save the breed was spearheaded by Geordie and Julia Soutar of Kingston Farm, near Forfar. The Soutars have spent the last 25 years sourcing the last remaining Native Angus cows, including their genetics, semen and embryos. In 2020, Geordie Soutar was awarded an MBE for his work in safeguarding the breed and getting Native Angus off the Critically Endangered List. The couple have since achieved special designation status for the breed, which has no imported bloodlines.
Franck Ribiere commented: “I’m thrilled to be part of this new opening in Edinburgh. Having Native Angus meat for the show is quite a dream too.”
He will be joined on the night by the Soutars, who will explain just how the Native Angus was saved.
Attendees will have the opportunity to buy cuts of Native Angus beef. This will be the first time in more than 30 years that the meat will be available to purchase from anywhere except the Soutars’ farm and their local butcher. Guests can either take a cut home or have it cooked in front of them by chef John Munro of The Gannet.
Andrew Duff, of MacDuff 1890, said: “This ‘Meat and the Maker’ event is for everyone interested in where their beef comes from. We’re excited that Franck Ribière will be there to discuss his own film-making background.”
Tickets are on sale now from Eventbrite.
