Michel Roux Jr explores knife-making ‘craft’ with Balvenie

William Grant & Sons-owned single malt The Balvenie has launched the first instalment in its short film series, The Craftsmen’s Dinner, starring award winning chef Michel Roux Jr.

Will Ferraby of Ferraby Knives is one of the last knife-makers in Britain

The six-part series features two-Michelin starred chef Michel Roux Jr travelling the length and breadth of the British Isles to meet five craftspeople: a knife-maker, a music-loving salmon smoker, an organic farmer, a potter and a sparkling wine producer, in a bid to discover the “true meaning craftsmanship”.

In the first episode, Michel meets one of the last knife-makers in Britain, Will Ferraby of Ferraby Knives, to see how he transforms Sheffield steel into culinary knives.

The series will conclude with Michel preparing a ‘craftsmen’s dinner’ for the individuals, using contributions from each artist.

Michel said: “Craftsmanship is clearly having a renaissance in the UK; and I can attest that there is a great sense of pride in tirelessly dedicating the hours required to become a true master of a chosen field. The Craftsmen’s Dinner has truly uncovered the current status of British craft.”

Accompanying research by The Balvenie revealed that if money were no object, almost 8 in 10 British people (77%) would instantly leave their jobs to re-train in craft such as beer brewing, landscape gardening or artistry.

The study quizzed more than 2,000 Britons, and found that when asked for their main reasons for taking up a craft, 62% claimed that they find it therapeutic, 52% love learning everything there is to know about a new skill, while 43% thrive on the thrill of creating something new.

Take a look at the first episode, Michel Roux Jr meets Ferraby Knives, below.