As a school-age apprentice butcher with the chops for both social media and supplying shoppers with their daily needs in meat, Stafford Heights’ Rode Meats employee, Ethan Johns, has become a nationwide viral sensation.
He’s been snagging the Facebook comments not only for his expertise in stuffing sausages but also for humorous banter recorded with his co-worker, affectionately known as ‘Booger,’ with the pair capturing enough attention to feature on Channel 9’s The Today Show.
According to Ethan, the initiative to create videos (now having attracted over one million views) evolved naturally from his innate enthusiasm for working with meat, alongside his enjoyment of his workplace.
“I enjoy the fast pace, and it’s always good to be busy instead of standing around,” Ethan said.
It was when Ethan was riding his bike to his local Woolworths that the young butcher-to-be stumbled upon the job (in the same shopping complex) as something to occupy his afternoons.
A Future Full of Meat and Media
Furthering his early dreams of “always wanting to be a butcher,” Ethan was able to develop practical skills (learning how to work with knives being the standout), as well as interact with the staff and customers at Rode Meats.
The social media star plans to continue working at the store throughout his apprenticeship, with ambitions to open his own butcher shop at some point in the future.
When Ethan is not busy working at Rode Meats five days a week and dedicating himself to his studies, he is finding time to bring his love of slicing and dicing various cuts of meat to the masses via commercial television.
Talking about his and his co-worker’s appearance on The Today Show in early August, Ethan said he was able to quell his initial jitters to go on to have a blast educating the hosts on how to link sausages.
“I was a little bit nervous at the start, but as soon as the camera came out, the nerves faded and it was all fun from there,” Ethan said.
Those who are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the burgeoning butcher can expect more meat-oriented videos soon (be sure to follow Rode Meats on Facebook and Instagram).
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