About us
Cannings was built from the ground up, fueled by Sam Canning's love of good food and his desire to raise the industry bar and improve animal welfare standards. Since 2010, Cannings' philosophy has been embraced and supported by the Melbourne community. Years on, the business has grown, and we're incredibly grateful to have such an amazing network of free range producers and a team of staff who represent Sam's core values. If you would like to know more about our mission in business, please click this link.
Mission
As butchers with a conscience, we deliver Australia's most high welfare produce. Guided by our values and commitment to what is right, we're here to lead positive change.
Our Team
Paul Barrett
Kew Store Manager
Paul is the much-trusted manager of our Kew store – the biggest and most diverse Cannings location. With 30 years butchering experience, Paul manages his team of butchers, production staff, counter service team and cleaners with humour and pragmatism.
Paul Barrett
Kew Store Manager
Paul is the much-trusted manager of our Kew store – the biggest and most diverse Cannings location. With 30 years butchering experience, Paul manages his team of butchers, production staff, counter service team and cleaners with humour and pragmatism.
Matthew Oltoumis
Hawthorn Store Manager
Matty has a big exuberant personality and a lust for life. Charged with managing Hawthorn – the original store – he runs a tight ship and keeps it quintessentially Cannings. He’s a gentleman – with a genuine (and reciprocated!) care and respect for his team.
Matthew Oltoumis
Hawthorn Store Manager
Matty has a big exuberant personality and a lust for life. Charged with managing Hawthorn – the original store – he runs a tight ship and keeps it quintessentially Cannings. He’s a gentleman – with a genuine (and reciprocated!) care and respect for his team.
Andrew James
Malvern Store Manager
AJ is the Cannings wunderkind. Taking control of the Malvern store in early 2017 he’s guided it from success to success. Andrew runs it with an infectious passion and attention to detail that makes the little shop shine.
Andrew James
Malvern Store Manager
AJ is the Cannings wunderkind. Taking control of the Malvern store in early 2017 he’s guided it from success to success. Andrew runs it with an infectious passion and attention to detail that makes the little shop shine.
Michael Ross
Ivanhoe Store Manager
Stepping into Cannings Ivanhoe in early 2019, Mick is a model of professionalism and craft. With years of butchery experience and a wealth of meat knowledge, Mick's blend of strategic planning and can-do attitude make for one reliable package.
Michael Ross
Ivanhoe Store Manager
Stepping into Cannings Ivanhoe in early 2019, Mick is a model of professionalism and craft. With years of butchery experience and a wealth of meat knowledge, Mick's blend of strategic planning and can-do attitude make for one reliable package.
Harley Burmeister-Lyons
South Yarra Store Manager
Harley is the Cannings quiet achiever, and has turned Cannings South Yarra into a local institution. Harley's strengths lie in amassing a loyal and multi-talented team, who collaborate to make South Yarra the jewel in the Cannings crown.
Harley Burmeister-Lyons
South Yarra Store Manager
Harley is the Cannings quiet achiever, and has turned Cannings South Yarra into a local institution. Harley's strengths lie in amassing a loyal and multi-talented team, who collaborate to make South Yarra the jewel in the Cannings crown.
David Robinson
Tooronga Store Manager
Dave has been butchering for 19 years, and over that time has accumulated a formidable skill-set and a knack for building lasting relationships with his customers. Dave's gentle, softly spoken nature makes him the perfect manager for our Tooronga Store.
David Robinson
Tooronga Store Manager
Dave has been butchering for 19 years, and over that time has accumulated a formidable skill-set and a knack for building lasting relationships with his customers. Dave's gentle, softly spoken nature makes him the perfect manager for our Tooronga Store.
Thomas Scott
Toorak Store Manager
Although new to the Cannings Management Team, Tom's work ethic and determination to succeed is admirable. As our Toorak store manager, Tom makes sure our discerning customers needs are met and the store has the "wow factor", day in, day out. On his days off, Tom is Dad of the Year to his two awesome little kids.
Thomas Scott
Toorak Store Manager
Although new to the Cannings Management Team, Tom's work ethic and determination to succeed is admirable. As our Toorak store manager, Tom makes sure our discerning customers needs are met and the store has the "wow factor", day in, day out. On his days off, Tom is Dad of the Year to his two awesome little kids.
Courtney Fry
Burwood Store Manager
Courtney has been with Cannings for over five years, and through this time has shown her passion for butchery and customer service excellence, from starting out as a Counter Hand, working her way through a successful Apprenticeship, to Online Manager and now Store Manager.
Courtney Fry
Burwood Store Manager
Courtney has been with Cannings for over five years, and through this time has shown her passion for butchery and customer service excellence, from starting out as a Counter Hand, working her way through a successful Apprenticeship, to Online Manager and now Store Manager.
Oscar Woods
Store Manager
Oscar Woods
Store Manager
Mick Bird
Kew Production Manager
Mick is a pillar of stability and a sounding board for Paul Barrett, our Kew store manager. Mick oversees back of house production at Kew and manages inter-store transfers to the rest of the Cannings Group. When Mick isn't assisting Paul in steering the huge Kew Store ship, he's on the golf course, perfecting his stroke.
Mick Bird
Kew Production Manager
Mick is a pillar of stability and a sounding board for Paul Barrett, our Kew store manager. Mick oversees back of house production at Kew and manages inter-store transfers to the rest of the Cannings Group. When Mick isn't assisting Paul in steering the huge Kew Store ship, he's on the golf course, perfecting his stroke.
Tony Fitt
Relieving Manager
A true Cannings Veteran – Tony has been with us almost from day one. With more experience under his belt than the rest of us combined, Tony’s cut, cooked and eaten everything we sell. If you need tried-and-true advice – ask him!
Tony Fitt
Relieving Manager
A true Cannings Veteran – Tony has been with us almost from day one. With more experience under his belt than the rest of us combined, Tony’s cut, cooked and eaten everything we sell. If you need tried-and-true advice – ask him!
Tim Hakins
Logistics
You’ve probably spotted Tim in the Cannings van. He manages all inter-store transfers in the refrigerated vehicle with an outstanding commitment to care and quality!
Tim Hakins
Logistics
You’ve probably spotted Tim in the Cannings van. He manages all inter-store transfers in the refrigerated vehicle with an outstanding commitment to care and quality!
Jess
General Enquiries
An indispensable member of the HQ team - Jess puts her passion for food and knack for communication to good use as our customer liaison and all-round administrative whizz. Jess is adept at gallantly keeping her composure under Simon's seemingly endless barrage of puns.
Jess
General Enquiries
An indispensable member of the HQ team - Jess puts her passion for food and knack for communication to good use as our customer liaison and all-round administrative whizz. Jess is adept at gallantly keeping her composure under Simon's seemingly endless barrage of puns.
Jordan Matthews
Customer Enquiry Liaison
If you've ever shopped at Cannings on a weekend, chances are you've been served by Jordan. Jordan is Cannings longest serving team member and it shows. With his in-depth product and company knowledge, Jordan has the answer you're chasing. If you would like to ask Jordan a question, you'll find him on our Online Chat feature most evenings.
Jordan Matthews
Customer Enquiry Liaison
If you've ever shopped at Cannings on a weekend, chances are you've been served by Jordan. Jordan is Cannings longest serving team member and it shows. With his in-depth product and company knowledge, Jordan has the answer you're chasing. If you would like to ask Jordan a question, you'll find him on our Online Chat feature most evenings.
Jamie Sleeman
Accounts Manager
Jamie has been with Cannings since 2015 and in that time – has kept bills (and staff paid) like clock-work. With a background in HR, and years of accounting experience, Jamie is an irreplaceable member to the HQ team.
Jamie Sleeman
Accounts Manager
Jamie has been with Cannings since 2015 and in that time – has kept bills (and staff paid) like clock-work. With a background in HR, and years of accounting experience, Jamie is an irreplaceable member to the HQ team.
Simon Boileau
Operations Manager
Simon started at Hawthorn in 2014 before managing Kew and Malvern. He knows Cannings back-to-front and now is in charge of making sure we’re all up to standards of presentation, food hygiene and safety. He’s the bridge between the company and customer-facing operations.
Simon Boileau
Operations Manager
Simon started at Hawthorn in 2014 before managing Kew and Malvern. He knows Cannings back-to-front and now is in charge of making sure we’re all up to standards of presentation, food hygiene and safety. He’s the bridge between the company and customer-facing operations.
Donna Wetherall
Chief Financial Officer
Donna is our financial compass. A Chartered Accountant with an impressive track-record, Donna has the indispensable ability to inject empathy and warmth into every facet of her role. She works alongside the Director and Store Managers to plan and realise day-to-day and big-picture goals.
Donna Wetherall
Chief Financial Officer
Donna is our financial compass. A Chartered Accountant with an impressive track-record, Donna has the indispensable ability to inject empathy and warmth into every facet of her role. She works alongside the Director and Store Managers to plan and realise day-to-day and big-picture goals.
Caroline Gill
Chief Operating Officer
Caroline is the driving force behind many of Cannings' initiatives. With a wealth of retail expertise, a deep understanding of Cannings values and a black belt in Microsoft Excel, by the time you've thought of it, Caroline has done it. ACTION is Caroline's middle name and her passion for continual improvement is palpable.
Caroline Gill
Chief Operating Officer
Caroline is the driving force behind many of Cannings' initiatives. With a wealth of retail expertise, a deep understanding of Cannings values and a black belt in Microsoft Excel, by the time you've thought of it, Caroline has done it. ACTION is Caroline's middle name and her passion for continual improvement is palpable.
Sam Canning
Founder
A genuine commitment to fine produce and customer satisfaction have been Sam's key motivators in business. Always on the lookout for ways to raise the bar and create positive change, Sam spends his days deep in collaboration with his peers as they strive towards the Company's mission and vision. With Sam's ability to convert vision into reality, anything is possible.
Sam Canning
Founder
A genuine commitment to fine produce and customer satisfaction have been Sam's key motivators in business. Always on the lookout for ways to raise the bar and create positive change, Sam spends his days deep in collaboration with his peers as they strive towards the Company's mission and vision. With Sam's ability to convert vision into reality, anything is possible.
Committed to our local community
At Cannings, we are committed to serving and supporting our local community. This commitment extends to ensuring our product offering is right for the community in which we serve and we always look forward to meeting your needs, so please let us know if you have any special requests! We support local businesses with our fine range of Cannings condiments and hire our teams locally to our stores.
We also love supporting our local communities with our "Cannings Community Sausage". We have an allocation each month available to worthy local community events, so reach out here to see how we can support your organisation. Once our allocation of free sausages has been exhausted, we do have a special offer to buy "Cannings Community Sausages" for eligible events. Find out more here.
We Care
That's right. Our mantra is CARE. We figure that if we handle every process, every customer, every staff member, every aspect of the business with care, then everything will fall into place. Did you know that as well as being certified carbon neutral, we also give back to the animal kingdom in the form of regular and ongoing donations to amazing charities such as Animals Australia, Humane Society, RSPCA Victoria, Sea Shepherd and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.
Product Integrity
In a world of confusing labels, misleading claims and general uncertainly around product provenance and welfare standards, it's nice to know that when you shop at Cannings, things are simple. Thanks to our considered selection process, our animals are true free range, cage free and happy animals from the south east regions of Australia. Our animals have never been administered growth hormones or routine antibiotics. We believe that high welfare, free range produce is the only honest and fair option.
Our Selection Process
It's been a passionate journey of education and adventure as we've researched and met some of Australia's best producers, on the hunt for high welfare, high quality produce at a price point that is accessible to everybody. We make the effort to meet our producers on their farms for an insight into their operation. The farm philosophy, how they raise and care for the animals, their logistics, supply chain and the abattoirs at which the animals are processed, are all critical factors that form the basis of the Cannings Selection Process.
Environmental
Awareness
- All of our cardboard, hard plastics and organic waste all get recycled.
- No plastic carry bags or polystyrene trays.
- Our paper bags are 100% recyclable and are FSC certified.
- Our stores are powered by renewable energy sources.
- Local produce for minimal food miles.
Carbon Neutral
reduce, reuse, recycle
Since 2012 we have sequestered 518 tonnes of carbon emissions through native tree planting programs, offsetting our carbon footprint. Our certification can be viewed here, and our Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report can be viewed here. Tree planting takes place to offset our emissions but it also helps repair salt affected land, reduce water and wind erosion, and creates habitat for endangered species and rare flora. YAY!!
