Cork And Kerry Food Festival Highlights Local Producers. New momentum in Mitchelstown’s food offerings.

Cork And Kerry Food Festival Highlights Local Producers.

New momentum in Mitchelstown’s food offerings

Praline treats!

Mitchelstown has long been a key town in Ireland’s fertile Golden Vale. Its natural association with food has been gaining new momentum in recent years, thanks to enterprise like Eight Degrees Brewing, Praline Chocolate, Galtee Honey Farm and Barnahown House.

All four were together under the Mitchelstown Food Community banner at the weekend’s Cork and Kerry Food Festival in the City Hall. Praline’s Norma makes some irresistible chocolates and is keen to spread the knowledge via a series of classes next Spring, a great variety for young and old. Subjects include everything from Back to Basics to Easter Desserts and Eggs and even include a Parent and Child class. Vouchers (very acceptable as a Christmas gifts) are available for the classes. More info at www.praline.ie

Lots of Christmas gift ideas in the City Hall for the foodie in your life or just for yourself. Sage have a festive gift-box of their already famous dips. Not just food! Try one of the marvellous whiskeys from Maurice of Killarney's Wayward Irish.  Whiskey too from the Clonakilty Distillery. There’s beer from Eight Degrees and Kinsale Mead have quite a few options as well. If you are an early buyer or a last minute purchaser, please do think local as everyone benefits!

 

These amazing spice sachets from Green Saffron recall their early days at Mahon Point Farmers Market when you got the spices in a little brown bag along with a photocopied recipe and super advice from Arun himself. He told me last Saturday he he misses the give and take of the markets. The East Cork company has grown a lot since 2007 and do watch out for some amazing expansion plans in the near future.

Anthony may have retired but its great to see Ummera in good hands. All the products were
available to sample at the festival and we tried a few before settling on the legendary chicken and duck.

Maurice has a variety of spirits available under the Wayward Irish, Lakeview and Liberator labels and now there's a new gin, an unusual smoked version to enjoy.

Kevin of Shellfish Ireland had a busy time of it with punters eager to
sample their seafood products, especially that Prawn Cocktail

With the hardworking Réidín and Kevin at the helm, Sage products have really taken off.
Look out for their festive box (not in photo), an ideal Christmas present!

Amazing mushrooms, all grown (not foraged), from Garryhinch Mushrooms.

You don't often get the chance to buy Gooseberry Jam, "a forgotten flavour" these days,
but we took the opportunity at Andrea's stall in the City Hall. The jams
are made in East Cork.