The Art of the Craft
To achieve a dish of this magnitude, Chef Michael and his team commit to a detailed, multi-stage preparation process where time and precision are the ultimate ingredients.
1. Elite Sourcing from Spain
Great cooking begins at the source. We partner with HG Walter, London’s premier artisan butchers, who source our pigs directly from Spain.
“They’re the best pigs that we’ve used,” notes Chef Michael. “We’ve tried a couple of different suppliers and these consistently do the best job. The tenderness of the meat is a big factor, alongside the way we prepare and cook it.”
2. Butchery
When the pigs arrive whole at the Lucky Cat kitchen, our chefs perform precise, master-level butchery. Over the course of around 20 minutes, it’s entirely deboned, keeping the skin intact to ensure flawless, uniform roasting.
3. 24-Hour Dry Cure
The true secret to the incredible flavour and texture lies in the curing process. The meat is treated with a precise blend of aromatic botanicals, sugar, and salt, then the pig is dry-aged for a full 24 hours.
“Preparation is key to the outcome of the dish,” explains Chef Michael. “The dry cure allows the flavours to get deep into the meat, and it also allows the skin to dry out completely before cooking. That’s what helps us achieve that final, legendary crispness.”