Short Order: Rod Faulkner

Rod Faulkner is a master butcher and is the owner of Yarra Glen Quality Meats, Victoria.

131026 wap faulkner

Rod Faulkner is a master butcher and is the owner of Yarra Glen Quality Meats, Victoria.

Best recent dining experience: Matt Moran's ARIA in Sydney. Korubuta pork belly with chestnut puree and poached persimmons. What a dish; great to see such a high quality product on the menu.

Must-buy ingredient: Black pudding for Sunday morning breakfast. Can't beat it.

Can't live without: Good bacon.

Most embarrassing pantry item: Promite. There's always a jar around the house somewhere.

What I'm cooking at home: You can't beat the new season spring lamb; butterflied and marinated with garlic, lemon, olive oil and oregano, grilled on the barbecue for a warm Sunday lunch.

Next big thing: Nose-to-tail philosophy; more people eating offal, heads and tongue. It's exciting to see people coming in to our shop with these requests.

I hate: Cooked pineapple; it's blasphemy.

Favourite cuisine: At the moment, it has to be Vietnamese. Just can't beat the fresh, clean flavours.

Worst meal I ever ate: Apricot chicken (sorry Mum!).

Biggest culinary influence: Of recent times, Ian Curley. He treats meat with respect and lets it shine without over-complicating things.

Favourite cookbook: I don't keep that many but Larousse Gastronomique: The World's Greatest Culinary Encyclopaedia by Prosper Montagne is my favourite. It has everything you need - techniques, recipes - the works.

My last supper: Wagyu steak, cooked rare, with a soft fried egg on top.

Rod Faulkner was recently crowned the Victorian Sausage King for the second time in four years.
yarraglenqualitymeats.com.au