Horse meat goes on the menu in Perth

Perth butcher Vince Gareffa, known as the Prince of Flesh, has led the charge by getting special permission from the West Australian government to supply the gamey meat to the public.

Mr Gareffa, who also supplies chefs across the country, opened his Perth shop yesterday with fresh horse meat for sale.  "We've got so many horses running in the wild, and we kill camels, we kill kangaroos, we kill emus," Mr Gareffa said.  "There's no way in the world it's any different. It just happens to be more emotional."

Australian Gourmet Traveller features editor Pat Nourse has been a fan of the meat since accidentally ordering it in Italy.  “It’s not a familiar foodstuff in this country for people,” he said.

Nicolas Poelaert of Embrasse Restaurant, who has eaten horse ever since he was a child in France, will feature the meat in a simple tartare-style dish at the Taste of Melbourne festival.  "I just want people to try it," Poelaert said.

- Courtesy Herald Sun with AAP