Young butcher chasing her dreams in Takaka
When people tell young business owner Georgie Moleta she has to leave Golden Bay if she wants to be successful, it makes her even more determined to thrive.
The 24-year-old runs her own homekill butchery in Takaka and works part-time for Fonterra.
Moleta is speaking about her career as a butcher and becoming self-employed at Nelson’s Young and Inspired event to encourage others to pursue their dreams.
‘‘For so many young people who don’t fit in at school, learning hands-on is such a good way to go,’’ she said.
Moleta grew up on a farm and enjoyed the practical nature of working the land. Her father suggested that she give butchery a go, given she enjoyed hunting.
She was able to try her hand at the trade through Golden Bay High School’s gateway programme. After gaining experience at the butchery in her local supermarket, she decided to pursue it as a career.
Not one to do anything by halves, Moleta wanted to learn how to make smallgoods, so she looked for a butcher who would take her on as an apprentice.
She moved to Nelson to start an apprenticeship at Phillippe’s Butchery and Deli, under the watchful eye of owner Phillippe Gauthier.
‘‘I loved it. Working with Phillippe one on one meant there was so much to learn.’’
She recalled that during a block course, the apprentices were asked how much time they got at the bench with a knife. Most of them said once or twice a week, but Moleta was on the tools every day.
She wasn’t interested in just processing an animal, but working out what products customers wanted.
‘‘People would come in and ask for a certain cut and we would cut it right there in front of them.’’
From the get-go, she cut chops with a cleaver instead of a bandsaw. Now and then, a surprised customer would tell her to watch her fingers.
Moleta said that initially, Gauthier’s lifestyle as a self-employed butcher was not something that appealed to her because of the long hours he put in.
But after a stint in the butchery at Raeward Fresh in Richmond, she decided the time was right to go out on her own.