You say sensitivity was wanting, but sensitivity for what? What was “the point” that Devin undermined?

My impression is that the point of the article is to give us a peek into the kitchen during a food-prep process that few of us have witnessed. Perhaps Devin didn’t cover the topic from the angle you would have preferred, but I’d say she did a fine job covering it from her chosen angle.

Actually, I did not slaughter any sheep, I merely butchered them.

I believe I did approach this piece with a lot of compassion. It is a privilege to see how an animal goes from farm to table, one that is both humbling and incredibly interesting. Most of my exclamation points came at the end of the piece when I am talking about how I got to make certain rubs and basting liquids. If you look back over the piece, Katie, I am sure you will see that there are barely any exclamation points where I talk about the butchering process. You will also notice if you read more thoroughly that I am quite clinical in explaining the process – certainly not “joyful” as you put it.

I am sorry you believe I came off as insensitive and I appreciate your criticism on this topic.

Dev xx

“Alison Levitt, blood, butcher, butchering sheep, Chicago, Chicago restaurants, Devin Kidner, farmers, food, graphic pictures, green city market, Grub Street, Illinois, local food, Mado, Menu Pages, mutton, Rich Hawley, Rob Levitt, sheep, Windy Citizen”

Next time you slaughter animals — with joy and many exclamation points — maybe think about narrowing the field to focus on people who just want to specifically search for that topic online — not Devin Kidner, not blood, not graphic pictures.

And if you’d like to see how a experienced writer approaches this topic with compassion and aplomb (both seemed lacking in your piece), check out Monica Eng (http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/sep/21/food/chi-mxa0921mazaginemoralitypg10sep21).

Nothing’s wrong with what you did at Mado — the problem, for me, came with how insensitively I thought you conveyed your experience. Seems you undermined the point of a really important, and, as you said, “interesting” process. Better luck next time.

PS – Also, you might want to reconsider that post as a folo to a piece about Fashion Week.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by makechicagohome: Butchered sheep at Mado yesterday. Pics and article on MCH. http://bit.ly/4E8eeX...