I Think I Might Have Found My Hero....

[MallardWacker]

Maynard Davies, the last of the apprentice bacon curers, tells his intriguing story in his own distinctive style.  He learnt the skills of the old master curers of the Black Country and he shares with the reader the secrets of top quality bacon: the methods, recipes, smoking and curing, showing his passion for, as he puts it, ´good food for good people´.

Maynard´s tale is an interesting story in itself, following his travel to America, picking up Quaker bacon curing skills and teaching others and his return to the UK, with optimism and gusto.




Fans of Maynard will be delighted to read his further adventures in bacon curing. The last of the traditionally-apprenticed bacon curers, the author regales and inspires his readers with tales of

visits from the health inspectors
his colourful customers and work colleagues
his tips on curing, smoking and selling
the burglaries, bungled deals and triumphs
his growing reputation in the field
travels to learn how to make parma ham


Has anyone seen these books...better yet read them???

[manxman]

Hi MW,

I have got the first one (Adventures of a Bacon Curer), the second one must have only come out quite recently indeed although I knew there was another one coming.

It is a delightful read IMHO, lots of funny anecdotes with useful bits of info on curing and smoking "the old fashioned" way, the guy himself is delightfully old fashioned with firm views on customer service etc.

It is not a big book, I finished it in a couple of days but for the price well worth it.

It is quite amuisng how he struggles with the difference between American and British bacon on his travels to the US!

I will certainly be buying the new one.  ;) :)

[levonen]

Sounds VERY interesting. Wizards that understand the complex process of curing are the breed almost extinct today. It should be interesting read. He mentioned there the curing of 'Parma ham'. Now, don't expect to learn the method from him ('Parma ham' curing is a secret and carefully kept method that goes from father to the son – there is just several officially accepted curers in the world). But is known that 'Parma ham' is cured using only (and ONLY) salt. And the fact that he's talking about 'Parma ham' curing, promises to be educational read for younger meat processing enthusiasts (some of which will became professionals of tomorrow) as well. Younger people could learn that, for example, the high ends of cured products in most part do not containing any sweet stuff, so popular today (honey, maple syrup, etc.), and so on. Also, do people in that line of work have some stories to tell? You bet your bottom on it – incredible stories, both funny and tragic, are traditionally connected to it. If his books actually contain what add for his books claim, then do expect a fascinating read.   

[manxman]

This is a bit from the publishers blurb. Obviously it is plugging the book but also gives a fair representation IMHO. Be aware that the quantities given for cures etc are commercial quantities so some maths would be involved cutting them down for home use, plus they may use original ingredients like saltpetre.:

Maynard's manuscript sat on my desk for several weeks before I got round to the task of, as I thought, rejecting it. It looked like an ape's breakfast and I felt sure it would never make any money. But I was touched at the thought of a now-elderly bacon curing apprenctice and his life story, and felt that out of courtesy, I would read a couple of chapters in order to write a fair rejection letter. I took it home with me that night. By 3am I was still reading. Yes, it was a tale simply told, yes, it would take so much editing that the profit margin would be totally eroded. But by dawn I had finished a straight read-through and I was hooked. I loved Maynard, I loved his approach to life and I loved his approach to food. My next difficult task was persuading my long-suffering colleagues that we should throw time and effort toward his fringe project. We publish country books, but not like Maynards! But in the end, everyone was won round - and we have never looked!
back. Maynard is totally dyslexic - so much so that even writing his own name doesn't come easily, and he doesn't hide that fact. He had dictated the entire manuscript to his long-suffering wife Ann and as any editor will tell you, the spoken word is entirely different to the written word. But, although I have never had to cover a manuscript with so much red ink in all my career, I had no difficulty in keeping that strong, prevailing voice of Maynard coming through - his distinctive turn of phrase, his quirky sentences - I left them all in. In many instances, no one could put things better than Maynard. The honesty shines through: the triumphs and failures are seen and described by Maynard alone. I have learned a lot through him. And so, happily, have many other readers. We are a medium-sized company, but I think the majority of all the fan mail we get is for Maynard. It often runs along the lines: 'I hardly ever read books but I have just finished Maynard, the Adventures of a Bacon Curer and I loved it. I can't wait to hear what happens next. I am a great fan and can relate to all the things he has said....' The good news is that Maynard is currently writing the sequel to his life story in bacon - and it looks as promising as the first book - which I am happy to say is now in its THIRD printing. I knew I thought it was special, but it is so gratifying to find that other people agree too. Karen McCall, Merlin Unwin Books


   

The latest book was released in June 2007 and both cost £6.99 each on Amazon UK. ?Cost on Amazon US.

I am off to order "Secrets of a Bacon Curer right now!!  ;) :D

[levonen]

Sorry, simply can't resist  ;D

Be aware that the quantities given for cures etc are commercial quantities so some maths would be involved cutting them down for home use

http://www.dragog.com/fct/index.html

[manxman]

 :D :D

[3rensho]

Just ordered both from Amazon.de. Really looking forward to the read.  Thanks for posting them MW.

Tom

[Habanero Smoker]

MW

Thanks for the find. I may order both myself from Amazon.com.

[iceman]

Yep, thanks MW.