Food and Drink Spotting

McGeogh's Air dried Lamb

Food and Drink Spotting

Vikki’s a new kid on the Sunday’s Well Road

Did you know you can get Arbutus Bread in Sunday’s Well? Also Terrines and Pates made by On the Pig’s Back? Even Air dried Connemara Lamb?

Well, the old Post office is the place to go. It has been transformed into a cafe deli by Vikki. And she is stocking some really good food by local producers. I brought home a pack of that lamb from Connemara, air dried by McGeough who also do other meats.

But I had a big choice. Glenisk yoghurts, O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages, Gubbeen meats and cheeses, Blue Haven foods and Janet's Country Fayre are all to be found on the well stocked shelves. And lots of sweet things also, including the irresistible Mella’s Fudge. Settled for the sumptuous Rum and Raisin.

Had called in for a cup of coffee but just had to nose around. Lots of seating scattered around, some of it by the fire, some by the window and even a few high seats at the counter. Coffee is fine and you can have a scone or something sweeter to go with it.

Vikki’s Cafe Deli  is opened for just about a month and lots of the seats were taken when I called on Saturday afternoon. Expect it to get busier as the fine weather comes in. They have a garden out the back and also some tables and seating on the pavement on the front.

Tue - Fri: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

(021) 439 6575


Nash Delight

Cork city centre restaurant Nash 19 is one of the McKenna top 100 Best Restaurant in Ireland and proprietor Claire Nash and her staff are thrilled. Claire: “ We are honoured  to be included in this year’s #100 Best. It a massive achievement for all our team. We are delighted to support so many local producers and showcase them daily on our menu. It is as important as ever to support local thus keeping and creating local jobs”.

Well done also to Kevin and his team at Sage in Midleton for making the top hundred and great also to see Clare's Wild Honey Inn (one of our favourites last year) on the list. The 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland  2013 is just one of the Guides produced by John and Sally McKenna yearly. It is published by Estragon Press and available in all good book shops.

Franciscan Well Festival

Had intended doing a bit more on the excellent craft beer (and cider) festival in the Franciscan Well at the weekend but someone told me I wasn't allowed drink and write!

There was a terrific line-up of brewers in the North Mall, including Beoir Chorca Dhuibhne, Carlow Brewing, the new Seven Windows Cork (with Mi Daza, a rich stout), Porterhouse, Trouble Brewing, Dungarvan Brewing and White Gypsy.

Great to meet up with some old friends, including Scott and Caroline of Eight Degrees and Jack Lynch of the Cotton Ball, and nice to meet some new ones like Ronan Brennan of Galway Brewing who introduced me to his new stout, the very drinkable Bonaparte, rich and creamy with a smooth finish.

Sampled quite a few beers and a few stood out for me. I do like my wheat beers so it was no surprise that I got on very well indeed with the Chameleon Equinox by Metalman from Waterford. This is an easy drinking cloudy wheat lager (4.65) and I’ll be watching out for it as the weather warms up.

It was a little chilly for the festival but Eight Degrees had the antidote: at 7%, Kindred Spirit warms you up from the inside! This very limited edition stout, aged in 25-year-old whiskey barrels from the Teeling Whiskey Company, was unleashed upon the world at the St Patrick’s weekend Irish Craft Beer Village and has been gathering rave reviews since. Justified, methinks!

There was a cider surprise from Daniel Emerson and Stonewell. The programme indicated that he’d have his regular products: Stonewell Dry and Stonewell Medium Dry. But he did even better, bringing a cask and a keg on Saturday.

The cider in the cask was not carbonated and went down a treat. Someone said “dangerous” as you’d sip this beauty away without realising you were downing an alcoholic drink. It was gorgeous. Must say there was nothing wrong with the cider, carbonated, from the keg, but the cask was the popular one..

Shorts

Spicy Pig Ears. Tender, chewy, spicy and just awesome http://www.foodspotting.com/reviews/3348218

Tim Anderson, the 2011 winner of Masterchef, looks at what Japan has to offer beyond sushi on a food tour of the country.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/japan/9966221/Japan-Masterchef-winner-Tim-Andersons-food-tour.html

Authentic Indian Cooking in Cork. Is Cork ready for this? https://www.facebook.com/AnnamFromMyKitchenToYours

This Friday is Fiver Friday at The Spinning Wheel Restaurant at Griffins Garden Centre. Start the weekend with a Traditional Irish Breakfast for just €5. Served from 9 - 12:00 (while Stocks Last).

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Manning’s

Did you know that Manning’s in Ballylickey have a Wines of the Month promotion, a red and white wine at a special price of €9.99.

Andrew: “This month we're going French...
White: This exotic blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino is unashamedly made in the style of the great white Chateauneuf du Papes. Boy, does it cut the mustard. This is a great discovery wine and a serious bargain.
Red: This easy drinking, juicy, Gamay has flavours and aromas of cherries and violets. A great and economical alternative to the Beaujolais reds.”

While you’re checking the wine, might also be worth your while to run the eye over their top gourmet olive oils from a revived Algarve estate.  The oil is pressed cold and each of the four varieties has its own characteristics and Manning’s even have a taster pack so you can try them all before choosing.
For more info click here.

Midleton Farmers Market Photo Contest
“Midleton Farmers Market are delighted to announce that we will be holding a photography competition beginning on Saturday the 16th of March and running up until Saturday the 30th of March. Come on down to the market to capture the foodie atmosphere, then upload your photo to the Midleton Farmers Market Facebook page and the photo with the most likes wins a great prize: a one-day cookery course at Ballymaloe and the runner up wins a half day course at Ballymaloe.

We also have a professional category: Photographers are asked to submit 3 photos taken at Midleton Farmers Market between 16th, 23rd or 30th of March to the panel of expert judges before the 5th of April. A gmail account will be set up and entries can be sent to this (gmail account given during registration)
Prize for this category include: Voucher for MacSweeney's Photography shop and O’Conaill’s Chocolate Surprise.
Special family entertainment on each Saturday. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details on this.”

RAI Chefs placement programme
“Finding chefs is still very much part of our agenda and we have two pilot schemes starting in the coming months. The Department of Social Protection have earmarked two areas with strong numbers of people on social benefits with chef experience - the Inner city in Dublin and Kilkenny city. We are currently looking for restaurants to participate in a hospitality jobs fair on Tuesday March 12th in the Ormonde Hotel Kilkenny and another on Thursday March 14th in the Ashling Hotel Dublin. If you would be interested in taking a stand free of charge please contact the RAI office on 01-6779901.

Cecina
Cecina is made by curing the hind legs of beef (instead of ham). It has a delicate beef taste (like carpaccio) but a bit more savoury and with final note of smokiness. It’s considered a delicacy and in comparison with certain grades of jamon serrano, this is considered a much better option. Take a look here

Coffee Morning in aid of Diabetes Ireland.
A Diabetic Screening and coffee morning with lots of scones and cakes taking place next Friday March 8th 10am-12md. Venue: The Rising Tide. Details here

Bierhaus Cork ‏@BierhausCork
Rogue beer launch night is Thurs 21/03 from 8pm, should be a great night @BierhausCork pic.twitter.com/TTJFbkiGPE


Real Olive Markets ‏@RealOliveMarket
Everything you ever wanted to know about buffalo but were afraid to ask, and lots more besides... http://www.therealoliveco.com/ 

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Folláin No Added Sugar Jams
Couldn’t have been better timed by the folks at Folláin. A couple of samples of their new No Added Sugar Range of jams arrived in the post this morning, just as my previous marmalade reached the end of the jar. Luckily, they had included Marmalade and that pot got an immediate test! And passed, with flying colours.

Like the jams in the range, the marmalade has no sugar added. Only the natural sweetness of concentrated grape juice is used. This natural grape juice sweetness produces a delicious fresh taste! And that trademark tang of the orange is still there. And the blackcurrant is brilliant also, a terrific balance of tasty fruit and flavour

The No Added Sugar range includes that Orange Marmalade and the following jams: Blackcurrant, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Rhubarb & Vanilla and Apricot. Must get my hands on the Blackberry (my favourite of the regular range) and also on the Apricot which has won the Gold Medal at the UK Great Taste Awards!

Health & Nutrition: When it comes to eating healthy, Folláin No Added Sugar and Salt range of preserves and relishes are very convenient for those wishing to reduce the salt and sugar content of their diet. They are also recommended for diabetics wishing to use a no added sugar jam or marmalade. The Folláin No Added Sugar/Salt Range are 100% natural, made from fresh fruit prepared meticulously by hand and contain no added sugar, no artificial colours or preservatives and are sweetened naturally with grape juice. They are also gluten free.

“15 grams of Folláin No Added Sugar jam or marmalade only contains approximately 25 kcal and 5 grams of carbohydrate. Compare this with a normal jam or marmalade where a similar amount (15 grams) contains approximately 40kcal and 10 grams of carbohydrate.”

For lots of info on Folláin Preserves (they also do some great relishes), and more info from their consultant nutritionist Niamh O’Connor, check out their website here . They also have a lively Facebook page with lots of recipes (just in case you thought jam was something you just spread on bread) and the link is https://www.facebook.com/FollainIrishPreserves?fref=ts


Celebration Stout

I am constantly trying to find an ale that I can really call my own but, almost effortlessly, I keep finding great stouts. The latest is the Porterhouse Celebration Stout (Imperial Irish Stout), available in bottle (33cl) in Bradley’s. North Main Street, Cork.

This is just the job. It comes with a lasting creamy head with a smooth flavoursome body and quite a dry finish. What’s not to like? Well, maybe a bigger bottle. Then again, it is 7% abv.

Treyvaud's Restaurant

Treyvauds is located in Killarney Co Kerry and one of Munster's leading restaurant. Paul Treyvaud has set up their own video channel. “We like to show you how to cook amazing food but also how to make it fun. Join us and please subscribe to ... http://www.youtube.com/user/branson47?feature&view


Killavullen Farmers' Market (via Facebook)

Next Farmers Market is this coming Saturday, March 2, at 10.30am. “We're under cover so don't let the threat of wet weather stop you from coming out!! We would love to see you.”


IKEA Meatballs (from Australia) http://www.foodspotting.com/reviews/3191950


Bia Sásta via Facebook

A garden workshop is coming up @ The Cottage (headquarter of Bia Sásta) on 23rd March. Learn how to grow your own vegetables, the easy way. Tips & tricks from a pro - Kitty Scully. Email biasasta@hotmail.com for further details https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bia-S%C3%A1sta/251338791605913

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Curious Crush

Just been working my way through the Spring edition of First Crush, the Curious Wine Club Magazine. The cover makes it plain that the Kinsale Road outfit are not taking the budget increases lying down and they have come out fighting, taking the gloves off for sure with 20 per cent reductions on their wines from Italy, New Zealand and Bordeaux!

Once upon a time, it was difficult to get a good white wine from Spain but times have changed. Verdejo and Albarino are now popular white wine grapes and Curious have an excellent example of the first one in Real Castel Rueda Verdejo (11.99), so popular among their customers that it made their Top Ten Whites for 2012.

I attended a Curious Wines dinner in the Cornstore last year and one of the most popular wines on the night was the Gavin Quinney made Château Bauduc Les Trois Hectares Semillon  (reduced to 14.39). Unusual to see Semillon (80%) carrying a European wine but this is a gem, aromatic, long and complex.

There is a rather nice Italian section in the magazine, featuring the Dievole estate and the Sangiovese grape. That got my attention, along with the 20 per cent off of course. Curious have a short list of five to try and the two that caught my eye were the Dievole Dievolino Sangiovese IGT 2009  (down from 13.99 to 11.19) and the Gregorina Sangiovese Superiore (reduced to 11.59).

And then there is Bordeaux, again with twenty per cent off. Back to Gavin Quinney again for one of my red picks here, the Chateau Bauduc Close de Quinze 2010 , another of the stars of that dinner at the Cornstore and even more attractive now that the price is cut from 17.99 to 14.39.

With all those savings, might be time to spash out. Must admit I know very little about the Chateau Cardinal-Villemaurine Sainte Emilion Gran Cru 2008  (20.00) but there is a fiver off and it is stamped as a best buy.


Wagamama Cook-off

Mighty Munster players line-out against the Mallow youngsters for the great Wagamama cook-off! This takes place on Tuesday February 26th (9.00am) and the venue is Wagamama, 4/5 South Main Street, Cork. Read more here.

Hamburger Macaron?

Beef patty is a hazelnut sponge cake covered in a dark chocolate ganache, the cheese is actually a thick slice of caramel chocolate, and the buns are two huge caramel macarons, all stuck together with more chocolate caramel. Not only that, its actual size is that of a small hamburger. This is sweet tooth heaven!! I love bubo!!!! See the pic here.

All the way from Turin, we have Romanian cuisine.

Galway Food Festival

28 March - 01 April 2013

The Galway Food Festival - even bigger and better in its second year and featuring an extended five day programme of fantastic food and free, family-friendly events in Galway on the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. Read more about this and other food festivals here.

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

With all the love in the February air, this Taste of the Week just had to be a sweet one. Had earlier opened a bottle of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau to pair it with that beautiful new St Tola Goat Cheese in the Lorge Chocolate case and still had a lot of it left. What now to match it with?

 I had the answer all along. When I bought the bottle, the lady in the Rasteau shop said chocolate and indeed if I remember rightly I sampled some there in that lovely part of the lower Rhone. Off then last Saturday to the English Market and called to Niall Daly at The Chocolate Shop.
What a selection! Had a little chat with the man himself and soon I was on the way home with a pack of Valrhona Grands Crus, a dark bitter-sweet chocolate with 70% cacao.
With the dinner finished, I tried out the match, the dark chocolate and sweet fortified red wine. And I was very happy with it. That lady in Rasteau knew her stuff. The chocolate, already quite a lovely mouthful, had its best qualities enhanced by the wine. Taste of the Week, without a doubt!

Coal Quay Convenience

You don’t have to go to your big supermarket for convenience shopping. Last Saturday found me at the far end of the Coal Quay Farmer’s Market, down towards the north channel of the river.

Didn’t have too much time to spare and most of that was spent in the line for O’Driscoll’s fish. Didn’t resent a bit of it as the fish is so fresh, the value outstanding. Got enough West Cork hake for three for six euro.

The stand across the way was Caroline’s, a very popular fruit and vegetable stall, and here I helped myself to a bunch of leeks. A few yards away was a well known face though new to the Coal Quay. Mark of Ballyhoura Mushrooms, well known at the main farmers markets, now has a stall here every Saturday.

While packing some of those colourful Oysters mushrooms, rose in this case, he told how he thoroughly enjoyed the Foodie Forum held earlier that week in Galway and was very impressed with North Cork chefs Bryan McCarthy and the up and coming Jack O’Keeffe.

So there you are, a few pleasant minutes passed and dinner in the bag. Convenient or what!


Shorts

O'Donovans Off Licence
The Irish Examiner recently reviewed Club Brasserie very favourably…we’ve chosen it for our Cork Supper Club event, an association of fine food and wine presented by Jane Ferrari. Tickets are €50 per person including all of the wine selected to go with each course. Call Rose or Deirdre to book on 0214296060, places are limited so book soon!


Breaking News from the Bringing The Wine Geese Home Front.........New Website is now up and running with a diary of upcoming events, so you won't miss out on any of the action!
Check it out on: http://bringingthewinegeesehome.wordpress.com/

Roz Crowley ‏@RozCrowley1
You did well with the mince pies, but how are your choccy cake skills? http://youtu.be/RkyQ8qad-CY   Gauntlet thrown! #cakeoff

Porterhouse Food Menu available from Monday 11th February!

To celebrate we will be offering 2 for 1 on all main courses at the Mardyke from Monday the 11th to Sunday 17th February.
(Pre - Book offer only)
Ph:             021 4273000      .

Valentine’s Tiramisu from Hong Kong 

Baby Pancakes Brunch, anyone? Follow the link to learn this mouth-watering recipe! http://thekarmickitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/southern-saturday-with-virginia.html

Flemings Restaurant - Valentine's 6 course menu.... Cappuccino of Wild Mushrooms with truffle .....and that is just the 1st course......tempted? Only a few tables left for Friday and Saturday!

Cookwithavonmore.ie has teamed up with Clontarf Castle to offer one lucky visitor a chance to win a romantic break with dinner for two at the luxurious Clontarf Castle in Dublin ...

Caroline@Bibliocook ‏@Bibliocook One for the diary: off to @BallymaloeCS next Tues 19 Feb for @8degreesbrewing talk, tasting and food matching... http://fb.me/u53x3G5A

Food and Drink Spotting

Butterflied Chicken at Lee Valley lunch.

Food and Drink Spotting

Deals in Meals

Came across some good deals in meals this week, starting with a lunchtime visit to the Lee Valley Golf Club . They have a two for one offer on a list of main courses that includes a couple of chicken dishes and some Asian dishes (including Thai curries). Most come in about a tenner. The two for one offer is on for the rest of this month but only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

There is an Italian Restaurant in Dublin, on Dame Street, opposite Castle Hill, called Toscana  and here you may enjoy a two course lunch for just a tenner. Quite a nice place and the deal includes still or sparkling water or a soft drink. You have five starters and eight mains to choose from.

If you are in Dublin and indeed an early evening meal then head for the Cliff Town House  on St Stephen’s Green (north). Here, between 5.30 and 6.30pm, you can enjoy a gorgeous top notch two course meal for twenty euro (3 for €25.00). Plenty of choice here also and I certainly enjoyed it on my way to see Ireland beat Poland.

Bord Bia - Irish Food Board

Would you be interested in becoming a future leader in the Irish food, drink & horticulture industry? We are seeking applications to fill 25 positions in an exciting unique year-long career enhancing scholarship programme which offers the opportunity to work on behalf of Irish food companies in overseas markets while completing an MSc International Marketing Practice. Check out this opportunity on www.smurfitschool.ie/bordbia




O'Callaghan's Delicatessen & Café

Don't forget we're open next Saturday Night, February 16 with 'O'Callaghan's at Nite'. We have a seasonal tasting menu prepared. It’s suitable for Valentines to take your loved one out but it is most certainly not confined to Valentines! There is no theme!!! Call 025-24657 to book your place. We have gotten so much positive feedback to all our other Tasting Nites so why not come and see what the fuss is about?! You won't be disappointed, I promise!

O’Donovan’s Off Licence

Gary O' Donovan is getting all romantic for Valentine's Day..Here is what he's recommending for the big day.."Champagne Jacquart Rose N/V half price at €29.99, The Red berry aromas give way to notes of plum on the nose. Tastes fresh and full and has a fine finish with notes of peach and apricot, I also recommend Yellow Tail Bubbles N/V €12.99.Here is a wine that offers awesome flavour, fizzy texture and a hint of sweetness to make drinking effortless. Pop the cork, away you go! Simple. Aromas of vibrant tropical fruits, a dash of lime juice and a hint of fresh cut flowers. Flavours of soft, creamy fizz with a little tropical fruit sweetness for good measure" You heard it here first...now you can impress your other half with your vast knowledge! We won't tell!

Shorts

Douglas Tea Room. 

Have you tried our three course €20 meal? We open late every Fri & Sat, getting lovely feedback so far!

Ballymaloe House
The annual RNLI fundraising dinner in aid of the Ballycotton lifeboat will take place at the Grainstore, Ballymaloe on Friday the 15th of February. Live music after dinner with Finnegan's Wake. Tickets are still available and cost €70. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Blaitnaid on 0874151475/ Details here https://www.facebook.com/ballymaloe

Cafe Paradiso

Chefs and student chefs who would like to do a stage in the Paradiso kitchen will be interested to hear that we've put a bit of organised structure to the process. Even more so to hear that we now have accommodation overhead for out of town stagieres...http://www.cafeparadiso.ie/jobs

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Taste of the Week: Arbutus Olivc & Rye Bread
at Bradley's, North Main Street

L’Atitude 51 

L’Atitude 51 (No 1 Union Quay) have a Whisky Tasting session on Thursday 7th of February at 7.30pm in their Wine Workshop upstairs. A 90-minute fun and interactive tutored tasting of 7 different whiskies from the world’s major whisky-production regions where you’ll learn to taste like a pro and explore the subtle and stark differences between whiskies.

Price: €30pp – includes 7 drams of different whiskies and their signature canapés. Booking required as spaces are limited. You can phone on 021 239 0219.

Liberty Grill

“Feeling a bit nostalgic for the old DINE IN CORK promotion, so for a limited time, we would like to offer you any appetizer, any one of the seasonal specials plus any dessert with a tea or coffee to finish for €25.” Check their menu here. 

Fermoy Indoor Market & Baby Fair

Fermoy Indoor Market & Baby Fair is fully booked for Sunday next 3rd February. A mega jam packed market hall comprising of the following - Milly’s Attic, Monagown Preserves, The Gift Basket, Avon Killeagh, Artwork by Maria Dowling, Ellen's Sewing Basket, Marys Baby Cardigans, Geeya's Cakes, Margaret's Dolls Houses, Costume Jewellery, personalised baby items, Cork Usbourne Books, Laura's Kids Chairs, Cupcakes by Siobhain, Silverhaven Jewellery, Bnbump Creations, Fantasy Face Painting, Beauty care products, Deisuin Candles, tea & coffee n toastie shop and so much more...

New to the Fermoy Indoor Market is a relaxing kiddie Area with soft mats, a selection of toys for the younger ones, kiddie table & chairs to draw or colour. Our new Face painter is Jenifer who will be there to develop their creativity.

Spinning Wheel Restaurant

On Friday, Feb 1st, it is Fiver Friday in the Spinning Wheel Restaurant at Griffin’s Garden Centre. A Gourmet Main Course for €5. Definitely one of the best Lunch Deals in Cork. Lunch served from 12:30 and while stocks last. Also Margaret will be giving a demonstration on the Tradition of the St Brigid's Cross at 12 noon. Also, from Monday 4th of Feb, the Spinning Wheel Restaurant will be serving Afternoon Tea Daily from 3:00- 5:30.

Shorts

Pork and Shitake Mushroom SiuMai at Le Dragon in Madrid, Madrid 

Folláin Preserves ‏@FollainJams

A simple and delicious recipe for Honey and Wholegrain Mustard chicken. http://goo.gl/sjtWz

  #EatWell4Life pic.twitter.com/AdVayg6b

Loads of recipes for Clonakilty Black (and white) Pudding 

Amazing wedding cakes from Amandine 

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Buying a Pizza? Then why not buy a local one. I found this in Dunne's Stores. It is made in Bandon and is delicious, moist with a tasty bite. Padraigin's frozen pizzas are available in local shops in the Cork area.


Padraigin's Gourmet Pizza comes from a family owned busniness in the West Cork town, set up and run by local resident Patricia Crowley. The restaurant is located on St. Patricks Quay overlooking the Bridewell river. It has been operating for twenty years and has recently been expanded to a two storey restaurant. 

Bush Tucker Trials in Cork?!
The Woolshed Baa & Grill are bringing the famous Bush Tucker Trials to Cork as they celebrate Australia Day this Saturday 26th January! The trials will bring a taste of the Australian jungle to the Rebel county as on the night those brave enough to take part in a bid to win some amazing prizes will be served up meal to remember including Crickets, Worms, Scorpions, Ants, eyeballs plus many more ( no horse meat!!!). Along with the Bush Tucker trials the celebrations will include an array of traditional Australian activities and an Aussie style party that will take you down under for the night!

The Celebrations kick off at 12noon with an Aussie BBQ and they the celebrations this year look to set to top last year’s crazy event when they had a large swimming pool in the bar!!!  There will loads of activities to take part in throughout the day such as a rock paper scissors tourney, beer pong, wet t-shirt competitions and a 1st ever Bush Tucker Trial in Cork that will definitely challenge the toughest of you out there!!! The Party is set to go on all day and night as the DJ kicks in from 8pm with a late bar giving you the opportunity to experience a taste or Australia right here in cork!

The Woolshed have over €1000 euro worth of travel vouchers to giveaway to make the night even more exciting.


Burgundy 2011 En Primeur
Burgundy had another excellent vintage in 2011 and prices have remained remarkably stable considering the ever-growing worldwide demand. This won't last unfortunately as the 2012 vintage was a disaster in terms of yields - in some cases 70% down! The Hospices de Beaune auction prices for 2012 were 55% up on 2012 - a clear sign of things to come... Burgundy lovers should buy as much as they can.

Stuart Smith of FVYD: “Our En Primeur offering comes from some of the best small growers and Domaines in the heartland of Burgundy. Amongst them Sauzet in Puligny, Michelot in Meursault and Bize in Santenay. The generic Bourgogne wines from these producers are particularly good value as the grapes come from vineyards next door to the greater Grand Crus.” Read more here

Slow cooked and scrumptious
   
Let your slow cooker do the work for you - from soups and curries to stews and more, it truly does do it all!

New slow cooker recipes via All Recipes:
French onion soup
Bean and sausage stew
Smokey bourbon ribs
Chickpea and quinoa stew
Lamb korma
All Slow cooker recipes

Shorts
Flemings Restaurant ‏@flemingsrest
COMPETITION TIME** Win Romantic Dinner for 2 on Valentines, 6 course tasting menu w/bottle of bubbly Enter Here: http://ow.ly/gZ3D6

A brief history of cider in Ireland http://www.ciderireland.com/a-brief-history/

Funny restaurant signs
http://www.buzzfeed.com/arielknutson/funny-restaurant-signs

Cork Baker’s Book in Paris Mix

Food and Drink Spotting

Cork Baker’s Book in Paris Mix

Just over 6 months ago chef and baker Patrick Ryan turned his back on a successful career in the UK to return home to set up the Firehouse Bakery and Bread School on Heir Island in West Cork.

On his return home Patrick brought with him his first published book 'Bread Revolution' which aims to return bread to its rightful place as 'King of the Table'. Patrick is now set to take his 'Bread Revolution' to Paris as it has been short listed for the Gourmand World Cook book awards best bread book 2012.

With participants from 171 countries Patrick's passion for real bread will go up against authors from France, Austria, Denmark and Singapore for the title of Best Bread book with the eventual winner being crowned at an awards dinner on February 23rd at Carrousel Du Louvre in Paris.

“Absolutely overwhelmed to receive such recognition” says Patrick. “ The idea behind 'Bread Revolution' was to just get people back baking again. I wanted to show that there is so much more to bread than just brown and white. With a few tips and thrifty tricks the humble loaf can so easily be transformed into a meal”.

'Bread Revolution' is just a taste of what you can get expect from a day’s bread making at The Firehouse Bakery and Bread School. With over 60 recipes including everything from nettle and chive flowerpot loaves to crusty sourdoughs 'Bread Revolution' provides true crust to crumb eating.

Shorts

Castle Hotel

Lucky enough to get a ticket to see The Boss in Cork?……

Don't be left 'Dancing In The Dark' this July 18th 2013 - The  boutique four star Castle Hotel in Macroom,  nestled between Blarney and Killarney and just 30 minutes from Cork City, is the ideal base for Springsteen fans to explore the scenic South West of Ireland.

The four star Castle Hotel is delighted to launch The Bruce Springsteen Special package and, for as little as  €55 per person sharing.  guests are in for a treat. For further information on this offer and other special offers currently available at the Castle Hotel visit here.

From Vineyards Direct
“We're very excited to announce the arrival of 2 magnificent new wines from the iconic Château de la Négly in the Languedoc, and a Bourgogne Blanc from the stellar producer Domaine Michelot, a Meursault in all but name at a  terrific price.

Negly, within sight of the Mediterranean, the sea breeze helps to soften the sometimes harsh heat of the summer and this combined with the unique terroir and painstaking methods of the estate results in an utterly delicious and very well priced wine at just €14.49 per bottle.” Details here.

Longueville House ‏@Longuevillecork
Longueville House & Restaurant open every weekend throughout January. Great DBB deals on weekend stays! T 02247156 http://Www.longuevillehouse.ie

Colours of Beer
Beertone, classification of your beer by its color.

Cafe Portebleue ‏@cafe_portebleue
Seared scallops with pan fried lardons flambeed in pastis. Try it and love it! http://www.cafeportebleue.com  #CafePortebleue

Galway Oysters
Galway: With so much to look forward to this New Year, make sure you mark the world's oldest oyster festival in your diary for 27th-29th September 2013. 10 per cent discount ‘til end of Jan here

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Taste of the Week
Always a bit suspicious when I see the blurbs on American products. “While the weather outside is frightful, Ben & Jerry’s Winter Berry Brownie tastes delightful” was spotted on   Ben & Jerry’s latest ice cream creation. “With fluffy fudge brownies and scrumptious raspberry-blackberry swirls that melt into Fairtrade vanilla ice cream. Flavour fans can cosy up on the couch while they sleigh their way through the indulgent flavours.”   Must say though that the ice-cream, especially the Brownie bits, hits the spot. Very enjoyable indeed, delightful even.

Burns Night Returns to West Cork

In an event to brighten up the winter days after Christmas and New Year, the spirit of Rabbie Burns kindles a flame in Skibbereen!

Following the success of the first West Cork Burns Supper in 2012, the West Cork Hotel and West Cork Food will host the event again on 25 January, 2013.  Last year the supper was completely sold out and guests enjoyed a seven course meal which married West Cork produce into a traditional Scottish meal including, of course, ‘a wee dram.’

The 2013 event will work on the same basis with the addition of a Scottish Ceilidh duo, which will perform and guide novice Scottish dancers in the famous Ceilidh dances, hopefully with the support of the attending Scots guests!

Not only did last year’s event celebrate Scotland and Robert Burns, it celebrated West Cork produce with a West Cork/Scottish fusion theme!  For details of next year’s Burns Supper please bookmark: www.westcorkhotel.com and www.westcorkfood.com. Bookings are already being taken by the Hotel at €40 per head and around one third of the tickets have sold in the first couple of weeks.


 Midleton Farmers Market
“Our Christmas market on Sat. 22nd Dec will be the last one of the year. So come early to do your last Market shopping before Christmas. There is a great buzz around the market especially for the children as they count the number of sleeps left for Santa to come. The music has been fantastic with several different carol singing groups singing over the last few weeks and this Saturday will be something special. Come along and enjoy the festivities. The Market returns Saturday 12th Jan.2013. Thank you all for your support throughout the year.”
Midleton Farmers Market opening hours:
Sat. Dec. 22nd 9am. - 1 pm.
Sat. Jan. 12th 9am - 1 pm.
The Market will be closed for 2 weeks for Christmas.

Fermoy Indoor Market
“There are still some tables available for the last of our 10 Fermoy Indoor Markets, Sunday the 23rdDecember. Due to public demand we are running a Baby Fair along with our regular market. If you have a few hours to spare and fancy a break why not do a clear out of all no longer used toys, books, baby/ kids clothes & accessories.It will be a fun day, kettle will be on, Xmas carols will be playing & you'll be making some extra money for the Holidays. Tempted- call me on 0863231010.”

Douglas Farmers Market
“We've been offered another location for the market next Saturday the 22nd of December. We will be holding a small market on the east plaza of the Douglas Village Shopping Centre (outside M&S) from 10-3. The stalls attending this market are Mealagulla Orchard Apples, Joys flame grilled goodness, Badger & Dodo coffee, the organic BBQ, Ned McCarthy Dairy, the Baking Emporium, Hamammi Kebab, Roly’s Fudge, Nibbles Emporium, Margaret Scannel veg, Healthy You Seaweeds and Barry's Nursery. The rest of our stallholders will be at Mahon Point from 10-2 on the same day.”

“We're sorry to have had to split up the market, but unfortunately it's our only option this year. We'll all be back as normal in Douglas Court on Saturday 12th January. Happy Christmas and sorry for the inconvenience.”

More Markets
English Market
Eoin O'Mahony ‏@guilderdbutcher has tweeted the English Market opening hours for Christmas #Cork pic.twitter.com/oCJijfyR

Fermoy Indoor Market
BABY FAIR – “In conjunction with Fermoy Indoor Market. Sunday the 23rd of December we will be running a Baby Fair for all new & pre-loved baby & toddler related items. A €15- charge will apply which includes the use of a 6ft table. Time is from 11am-4pm (set up at 10am). To reserve your spot or for more detail call Louise on 086-3231010.”

Cahir Farmers Market
Cornelius Traas ‏@theapplefarmer tells me that Cahir Farmers Market is open today 4-8 pm for a Christmas special, and also Saturday 9-1.

Nenagh
Tipp Green Business ‏@tpgbn have been in touch to say that the Christmas Market at St. Joseph's CBS, Nenagh, will be held on 23 Dec-proceeds go to Children's Hospital Crumlin & North Tipperary Hospice.

Breakthrough Cancer Research
If you are in Cork City and in need of a quick cup of coffee why not call to the Breakthrough Cancer Research Pop-Up Market. Here you’ll be greeted by Eoghan O'Sullivan and while sipping your cuppa you can browse and maybe pick up a gift for someone. Maybe something for yourself. Eoghan: “Our pop up shop for 12 days of Christmas is open in Cornmarket Shopping Centre Cork (under KT Maxx) until 1pm on the 24th. Please visit.”

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

The Irish Examiner Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of St Vincent de Paul will take place on Tuesday, December 18 at 10.30am. Roisin Quain tells me the coffee morning, in the Irish Examiner offices, also marks the culmination of their Christmas Cake Recipe Competition. “Our 12 finalists will be in attendance and Darina Allen will be announcing the winner. Darina will also be taking culinary questions from the floor.”

“Michelle Darmody will also be there to share her baking tips in time for Christmas. We will also have some really fantastic raffle prizes to give away, members of the UCC choir singing carols, cakes, mince pies and Christmas cheer. Tickets are €5, and are available from our reception and over the telephone on 021 4802209/021 4802208.”

Cooking for Cork Penny Dinners
Staff of Neville Jewellers are all set to cook and serve Christmas Dinner at Penny Dinners. Almost 150 Christmas dinners will be served at Cork Penny Dinners by the staff and management of Neville Jewellers on Sunday 16th December.

A family run business since 1971, John Neville and his team will swap the tools of their trade for kitchen utensils and aprons, and have a fabulous traditional turkey and ham Christmas dinner planned for diners of 4 Little Hanover Street in Cork.

“Thankfully Christmas is a busy time for retailers in Cork”, said John Neville, managing director at Neville Jewellers.  “Our stores in the shopping centres in Wilton and Blackpool as well as Winthrop Street have been busy, but we really wanted to give something back to those less fortunate during the holiday season”.

The team at Neville Jewellers are looking forward to cooking and chatting with the diners and hope to bring some Christmas cheer to a wonderful charity that continues to provide food and support to so many of Cork’s people in need.  Donation boxes for Cork Penny Dinners are also in store at Neville Jewellers should shoppers wish to make a contribution to this Cork charity.

Theatre of Food Back on Parade
Theatre of Food pop up at Cork Christmas Market
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th December
Theatre of Food is ‘popping up’ at Cork Christmas Market this year to bring some top tips for festive fare your way.  Popping up at weekends throughout the market run, the Theatre of Food with Bosch kitchen will host fantastic participants

Saturday 15th December
10am The Beauty of Brussels Sprouts
Caitlin Ruth of Deasy’s Harbour Bar & Restaurant in Clonakilty, who, alongside Bridget Healy will be celebrating their love of, and the glory and beauty of the humble Brussels Sprout – with recipes from the traditional, to crostini toppings and coleslaw, it promises to be a good one!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deasys-Harbour-Bar-Seafood-Restaurant/126741324027491

11am COOKIES & COCKTAILS
Shannen Keane, owner/operator of Diva Boutique Bakery and Cafe an award-winning bakery located in the heart of Ballinspittle, will be treating you to 3 types of cookies, Russian teacakes, Linzer cookies and Linzer cookies with a twist, as well as making 2 - 3 quick and easy cocktails for entertaining   Recently their mince pies were rated with a gold star in the Irish Examiner’s best mince pie review.  www.divaboutiquebakery.com


Sunday 16th DECEMBER

12pm   crust to crumb baking
Patrick Ryan from Firehouse Bakery & Bread School, situated on Heir Island in West Cork promises to bring a bit of festive real bread baking to Theatre of Food, with all the classics: mince pies, stollen and panettone but with the unique Firehouse style.  Think of delicious mincemeat swirls with brandy butter icing, flower-pot panettone and Brioche that will certainly set the heart rate racing. A fun demonstration with lots of tasters! www.thefirehouse.ie

1pm MEXICAN FOOD GIFT IDEAS
A workshop on Mexican Food Gift Ideas with Lily Ramirez-Foran, the writer behind ‘A Mexican Cook in Ireland’, a food blog where she shares her Mexican family recipes and her adventures in her Dublin kitchen.  Lily has been living and cooking in Ireland for over 10 years with her Irish husband and business partner, Alan Foran.  Together they run ‘My Mexican Shop.ie’, an online shop with everything you need for an authentic Mexican feast at home. Lily is a member of the Irish Food Bloggers Association and passionately believes in the Slow Food ethos of good, clean and fair food.  She works full-time for an Irish not-for-profit organisation and divides her days between her full-time job, the business and cooking and writing for the blog.  Busy bee, she usually finds time for a cooking demo or class.

URRU Culinary Store
Bandon’s URRU has announced its Opening Hours for Christmas & New Year:
Sun 16 Dec 2 - 5.30
Mon 17 - Saturday 22 Dec 8.45 - 6
Sun 23 Dec 10 - 5.30
Mon 24 Dec 8.45 - 4.30
Tues 25 - Thurs 27 Dec Closed
Fri 28 Dec 10 - 5
Sat 29 Dec 10 - 5
Sun 30 Dec Closed
Mon 31 Dec 10 - 5
Tues 01 January Closed
Wed 02 January Back to Normal 8.45 - 6

Wines in Clon
News from last month’s B & G wine tastings in Clonakilty and for more wine news with an Irish angle check the company's current newsletter here


Shorts

Potato Gratin recipe from Pat Whelan 

Surf and Oink

Last orders From Vuneyards Direct

Mary Daly ‏@MaryDalyHACCP
"Now taking bookings for our Primary Course in HACCP & Food Safety on 21/01/2013 in Cork. Please see http://www.marydaly.ie  for course details

More Food and Drink Spotting

RACHEL ALLEN TO COOK CHRISTMAS TREATS AT WILTON SHOPPING CENTRE

Celebrity Chef gives Wilton Shoppers Festive Food for Thought
Not only are shoppers at Wilton Shopping Centre enjoying live carol singing and piano playing, as well as great value shopping, but next week they will also be treated to a free Christmas cookery demonstration with celebrity chef and author, Rachel Allen.

Shoppers will be shown how to create simple but delicious festive treats and Christmas party food by Rachel Allen, who will be in Wilton Shopping Centre on on Friday, 14 December at 11 am.  The demonstration is free to attend and all are welcome.

The free Christmas cookery demonstration is the latest in the Wilton Shopping Centre line up this holiday season, which has seen local schools carol singing as well as stunning Christmas piano tunes from Jeffers Pianos on site.  Santa is in his grotto at Wilton every day checking his list, reading the Santa letters posted in store, and hearing whether the children of Cork have been naughty or nice.  The team at Wilton Shopping Centre are also providing a free gift wrapping service.   And of course, Home & Away star, Brax, will be visiting on New Year’s Eve.

“We have a fantastic Christmas experience for shoppers at Wilton this year”, said Susanne Irwin, Manager of Wilton Shopping Centre.  “From carol singing, Christmas food tastings and cake decorating, and the elves’ free gift wrapping station ensuring that all gifts bought here are wrapped by Santa’s little helpers, Christmas shopping has never been so much fun or so easy!”

Boasting 62 shops under one roof, Christmas at Wilton is truly a unique shopping experience in Cork.  From the welcoming scents of cinnamon and orange to the friendly service and great choice of Christmas gifts available, Wilton Shopping Centre won’t disappoint.

Opening hours have been extended throughout December, and the Wilton Shopping Centre will be open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays opening hours run from 11am to 6pm.

For more information, see www.wiltonshoppingcentre.ie or follow Wilton Shopping Centre on Facebook.

‘Wine for the Festive Season’ with Colm McCan & Peter Corr

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Tuesday 11th December, 6pm

This entertaining & educational wine evening will run like a dinner party, starting with wines for the Aperitif, moving on to the Main Event and finishing with the End of the Day. Presenting the evening, with wines to taste, are Colm McCan, Sommelier at Ballymaloe House & Wine Teacher at Ballymaloe Cookery School, together with Peter Corr of Febvre & Co Wine Merchants who is also a guest wine teacher at Ballymaloe Cookery School, both of whom have a combined 50 years experience in the wine world, making them the ideal guides to Festive Wines.

Amaze yourself, your family and your friends with your wine knowledge, food & wine pairing, hot tips and wine gift ideas, all with Christmas and the Festive Season in mind.

Proceeds for this evening to the East Cork Slow Food Educational Project

€8 (Slow Food members €5). All are welcome. Advance booking essential.


Theatre of Food
(via @Bibliocook)

Theatre of Food is ‘popping up’ at Cork Christmas Market this year to bring some top tips for festive fare and seasonal treats. The stage, equipped with a Bosch kitchen will host fantastic participants including some of Cork’s finest chefs: Multi-award winning chef Brendan Cashman, formerly of the Michelin Star-ranked Augustine’s Restaurant; and Kevin Ahern of Sage Restaurant in Midleton, whose restaurant's ethos is to source the best of local produce from Cork County – East, West & North, with most sourced within a 12 mile radius of Midleton.

Both will be kicking off the pop up Theatre of Food this Sunday, taking centre stage between 3pm and 6pm, and treating the audience to some seasonal flavours and foods from the English Market.

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting


Happy Anniversary to L’Atitude 51

Happy First Anniversary to L’Atitude, the wine cafe at number one Union Quay.

Best known for its huge range of wine, available by the tasting glass, by the normal glass, by the carafe and by the bottle, the friendly venue also does morning coffees and gorgeous pastries, light lunches and light meals later on. Beer drinkers are not forgotten either. And, if you like a little music or art, then that’s another reason to make a visit. Wine tastings, even wine classes, are regularly available here.

Tuesday was the official anniversary. I couldn’t make that evening’s party but did call in earlier for lunch. They do one soup, one hot dish and a few open sandwiches, all a cut above the average and all priced below the average. Yesterday’s selection: Porchetta and sundried tomato; Fennel salami and gherkin; Buffalo mozzarella with aubergines.

Potato and Leek soup can sometimes be bland but not here and you get a massive bowlful and great bread for €4.50. My main course was the Jack McCarthy Black Pudding with Apple Sauce and a Mustard Mash. The cost? Just €6.50. Good food, good value.




Ballymaloe's Pop-Up Christmas Wine Shop

Ballymaloe’s Colm McCan has been in touch: “We are opening a ‘Pop-Up Christmas Wine Shop’ at Ballymaloe House, each weekend in the run up to Christmas, on Saturdays & Sundays, from 11.00am - 4.00pm.

Lots to see & do, and shop, in the area, including Ballymaloe House Shop, celebrating 40 years this year, and the Ballymaloe Shop Cafe for delicious morning coffee, light lunches, and afternoon tea; Ballymaloe House for lunch & dinner, and vouchers for Christmas, and the Farm Shop at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

All your Christmas shopping in tranquil Shanagarry – hassle free, lots of parking, delicious food – and a walk on the beach afterwards maybe.... Christmas Shopping with a smile!”



Sunday Brunch No. 5 Fenn’s Quay
Brunch may have been around for decades but Fenn’s Quay Restaurant, located on Sheares Street in Cork City Centre, is bringing it to Sundays on the 9th, 16th and 23rd of December, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Executive Chefess Kate Lawlor has created a delectable brunch menu featuring local ingredients in classics, like Eggs Benedict with Rosscarbery Rashers or Boiled Eggs and Soldiers with Marmite, and indulgent favourites, like fluffy Feirm Úr Buttermilk Pancakes with your choice of crème fraîche, homemade jam or maple syrup.

For light eaters, there are Croissants or Fruit Scones served with Irish butter and Kate’s own house-made jam. With a variety of brunch dishes on the special menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Known for its family-friendly menu and staff, even the littlest brunchers will enjoy themselves.

Roz Crowley’s Mince Pies

Irish Examiner and Feelgood food writer Roz Crowley looks at the mince pies available this Christmas. On tomorrow, Friday the 7th, she will give her verdict on the best in the Feelgood section of the Irish Examiner. Here she also makes her own Christmas mince pies. Video by Dan Linehan @lensdan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLh-i9hzlMI&feature=youtu.be


Brendan Cashman Pop-up

Brendan is having his own Pop-Up consisting of a 7-course tasting menu for just €55 next Sat 8th Dec in his brand new Cookery School. Or why not sign up for his Christmas Cookery Course running on Mon 10th & 17th and Tues 11th & 18th December and wow those relations with your newly-found cooking skills on Christmas Day! For more details email Brendan directly on brendancashman12@gmail.com or call 021 4365083

Shorts

St Tola Goat Cheese ‏@StTolaCheese

St Tola Ash Log won Best Irish Cheese at the World Cheese Awards! Mature log wins Bronze too. What a great end to 2012!


Ballymaloe Cookery ‏@BallymaloeCS

Wines for the Festive Season @BallymaloeCS Colm McCan and Peter Corr in aid of slow food - Tue December 11th 6pm. lots of wine ideas €8.00

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Taste of the Week!

A Winter’s Ale
I have a highly recommended seasonal beer for you today. It comes from Mitchelstown’s 8 Degrees Brewing and it called A Winter’s Ale and it is widely available.

They say “it will warm you from the inside out”. Not too sure about that but I certainly enjoyed this strong (7%) spiced darkish ale. The spices, which come via Green Saffron, do not dominate. Neither is there an overpowering aroma or flavours.

This is a really well balanced glassful, rich and rewarding, an excellent blend for the season. I suggest serving in and sipping from a wine glass. Top up from time to time to revive the head.

Ladies Lockdown!
On December 6th at The Rising Tide, there will be a Pre Christmas Food & Fashion Night for the Ladies! “There's a Kir Royale reception on arrival with make up tips and touch ups with Glamity Jane. Nails Inc will be on hand (literally) to do complimentary file & paints. We'll then serve up a stunning 4-course dinner while you enjoy the fashion from The Dress Bar & Verso. Tickets are limited and are €35 pp. — with Emer Lockdown Models and 4 others.”

Beat the Budget!
The folks in From Vineyards Direct have been on with their plan to beat the budget. “This time we expect a rise in duty on the 5th. So now is a great time to stock up with some of our delicious reds for all occasions.

Chateau La Cardonne is a perfect, plump big occasion party wine from the much lauded 2003 vintage.
Our fantastic house Claret, La Reserve 2009, made with merlot from St Emilion, which is not only a delicious party wine, but will fool your guests into thinking it's a far more expensive offering.
Finally, Chateau Trillol 2008 from Corbieres, our staff favourite from 2012 and recently awarded a Coup de Coeur in the Guide Hachette, France's wine Bible. Big, brambly and really delicious.”

Soup-er Friday
Cork Penny Dinners is set to benefit from a “Soup-er Friday” fundraiser being organised by award winning local Cork food company, Just Food, on Friday 30th November. Fifty cents from every Just Food soup pot sold in Cork on the day will be donated to this worthy cause.

A pop-up Just Food Soup stand, located outside Brown Thomas, will also sell soup to passers-by on the day, with all proceeds from these sales going to the charity. To coincide with this fundraiser, Cork businesses who don’t manage to get their hands on any of Just Food’s delicious soups, are invited to bring their lunch into work on the day and the money saved by doing this can also be donated to Cork Penny Dinners.

Donations can be made to Cork Penny Dinners via MyCharity.ie, by posting a cheque to Cork Penny Dinners, 4 Little Hanover Street, Cork City; or bank transfer to The Ulster Bank, 88 Patrick St, sort code 98-54-80, account no. 10927581.

For further details on “Soup-er Friday” and information on Just Food products, visit www.justfood.ie or www.corkpennydinners.ie

Shorts

Yesterday we got this tweet from ‏@Kajuiter
Want to make Traditional Irish White SodaBread ......Check out @poolchef30 http://bit.ly/WTamSx  #sodabread

No shortage of ideas for Christmas food here.

Mountain Dew gets a makeover. Check here.

Are you ready for General Tso’s chicken? Just click and check.

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Taste of the Week!
Mozzarella salad at Toons Bridge Cafe

Another Euro Beer goes stateside!

Duvel, the classic Belgian beer, is gone stateside. And old world aficionados, remembering what happened to the original bud, will be worried. Should they be? Read on.

“Last month, after years of wrangling and pleading, Belgian Duvel finally decided to unveil its long-secret recipe for the brewery’s premier golden ale. Duvel shipped the recipe to Ommegang, and the upstate New York brewer (now owned by Duvel) recast the golden ale recipe, which, despite its famous secrecy, is a pretty simple concoction.”

Devil in the Details: Ommegang’s New World Take on a Belgian Beer Classic 

Waterford’s Winterval

The Winterval Festival in the medieval city of Waterford is keeping with a tradition established back in medieval times when end-of-year markets sprung up as social gatherings where people could enjoy a little excess before the onset of bitter weather.

A festive ‘Winterval Market’ will take over the heart of the medieval city where 60 beautifully decorated traditional log cabins will host an offering of the very best quality and range of goods in food, craft, wooden traditional toys and decorations throughout the Winterval festival, from November 30 to December 23, full details can be found here 

Market opening hours

Winterval Market at Cathedral Square

 

Fri. Nov. 30th to Sun. Dec. 2nd

Friday: 11am-9pm, Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 12.30pm - 8pm

Thurs. Dec. 6th to Sun Dec. 9th

Thursday & Friday: 11am-9pm, Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 12.30pm - 8pm

Thurs. Dec. 13th to Sun Dec. 23rd

Monday to Friday: 11am-9pm, Saturday: 10am-9pm, Sunday: 12.30pm - 8pm

 

 

Ardkeen Artisan Food Experience at Winterval

At Greyfriars Gallery

Fri. Nov. 30th to Sun. Dec. 2nd inclusive

 Thurs. Dec. 6th to Sun. Dec. 9th inclusive

 Thurs. Dec. 13th to Sun. Dec. 23rd inclusive

 

Dinner with a French wine maker

Gary Gubbins of Red Nose Wine has been in touch about Friday’s dinner in Fethard: 

“We are delighted to welcome Florent Chave over from the Irish owned, organic vineyard in Provence, Domaine des Anges. Tickets are only €40 and that includes all of the food and the wines. We will be matching their great wines to some fine foods. There is a strong rumour that there will be music in the bar afterwards as well, so bring a song. This sold out last year, so buy tickets online, in the shop or at McCarthy’s itself.”

Shorts

Ummera at Christmas

Christmas Orders for Smoked Organic Salmon..Find your local stockist..Keep in touch....all the latest from Ummera right here 

Scallops with Pastis!

French restaurant Cafe Portebleue for  the Charente are among my latest followers on Twitter.  ‏@cafe_portebleue. They have some promising recipes on the site and this one caught my eye. Seared scallops with pan fried lardons flambéed in pastis. Try it and love it!  

Fermoy

The lucky folks in the Fermoy area will soon have a Gastro-pub in which to enjoy the very best of local ingredients served up to a very high standard indeed. Watch this space!

Mercy Fenton Demo for Charity

Deirdre of ‏@DeesWholefoods tells me that Chef Mercy Fenton will be doing a cookery demo at the Cork City Indoor Night Market this Friday (23rd) as part of a fundraising night for Marymount. More info here. 

Mille Feuille at El Urogallo in Madrid

Irresistible, via my Foodspotting friend Coronaburg. “Layers and layers of crispy pastry puff all joined by a luscious pastry cream side and gooey rich whipped cream. This is their signature dessert, I have tried all of their desserts and this is their very best one!!!! CCC, since you came looking for dessert earlier today this is dedicated just for you!!! Lol!!!” http://www.foodspotting.com/coronaburg/reviews

Glenilen Farm

“We have slightly changed our cheesecakes, they are still the same recipe as when we started all those years ago but they are now a little smaller and for a smaller price. They also have some new packaging which we hope you like, so let us know what you think!! Visit www.glenilenfarm.com for more details!”

Christmas Recipes

No shortage of ideas for Christmas food here, especially baking.  

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Mitchelstown Cafe in Final

Looking for Christmas Cake fruit?

Those of you making your own Christmas cakes and puddings will now be on the hunt for fruit and I’m told there is a fantastic selection in O’Callaghan’s Deli and Restaurant in Mitchelstown.

And while you are there, why not treat yourself to breakfast, maybe a coffee and pastry or even lunch. Great quality here and the cafe, in the centre of the town, is on the shortlist for the Good Food Ireland Café of the Year Award 2012. Taoiseach Enda Kenny will attend the prize-giving in the Shelbourne next week and best of luck to the contestants.

Pat and Mary O’Callaghan have been at the helm for twenty two years now – and between them have enough experience under their belts to know exactly what their clientele wants, and, helped nowadays by young Head Chef Paddy O’Callaghan, they know how to provide it.

They started with a small deli and cafe, just thirty two seats. Several years ago, they expanded through to the shop next door. Now the café accommodates over a hundred diners in very cosy surroundings – complete with roaring fire in the dining room area. The O’Callaghan ethos though has remained the same throughout all the years – to make everything in house and use as much local produce as possible.  

Check it all out here 

Café Femenino

Never heard of Café Femenino until the November coffee of the Robert Roberts Coffee Connoisseur Club arrived the other day. It is the delicious Rwandan Abakunda Kawa Rushashi Coffee. This coffee comes from a cooperative in the northern mountainous region of Gakenke in Rwanda. It is part of the Café Femenino which is a social programme for women coffee producers in rural communities around the world. If you would like to know more about the programme click here. 

The coffee is beautifully smooth and balanced. Gareth Scully of Robert Roberts says that Rwandan coffees have an absolutely unique bold quality. “They are fantastic looking beans with incredible balance and smoothness and of course, those ever subtle citrus notes. It always amazes me how that even at a higher roast they can really come through. What surprised me the most though was an ever so slight spiciness in its taste. Along with citrus notes, you can normally only find this taste in some of the finest and best Kenyans but Café Femenino came up trumps.”

Truly Irish opens online shop for Christmas Hams

“It’s the centre-piece of everyone’s Christmas Day celebrations and probably the most important part of the festive season so it’s vital you get the perfect Christmas Ham.” I think that is called hyperbole ! But still, getting a good ham is important in most households and  Truly Irish Country Foods offers a 100% Irish, locally produced, DNA traceable Christmas Ham for all the family to enjoy and you will be helping to support over 8,000 Irish jobs. Ordering your ham couldn’t be easier; just go to www.trulyirish.ie and click on the link.

Shorts

Follain jams spreads the good news with expansion plans. 

Dee's Wholefoods ‏@DeesWholefoods

@CorkBilly Chef Mercy Fenton cookery demo #cork city indoor night market  Friday 23rd. Music & fundraising for Marymount.  Market also on this Friday.

Ring of Cork ‏@RingofCork

Competition for a Sunday Lunch for 2 at Rosie's Bar & The Pepperstack Bistro. Like and share to enter. http://fb.me/1QF78fSgl

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Taste of the week, available
at Bradley's, North Main St

Good Food Ireland Awards
Cork’s Farmgate Cafe are in the running for the Good Food Ireland Café of the Year. Finalists were chosen by the Good Food Ireland Quality Assurance Panel and by consumers who have voted online.

The Farmgate: “So thank you to all who voted for us! In the meantime, although it would be nice to bring a bit more good news in a few weeks when we hear the final results, we shall keep calm and carry on!”
See all the categories and the full lists of finalists here.


Wedding bells at The Castle
Many of you, like me, will have enjoyed a delicious meal in B’s Restaurant in the Castle Hotel Macroom and you’ll be able to sample the culinary delights prepared by  award winning Executive Head Chef Pat Ryan next Sunday when the Hotel holds its annual wedding fair.

There is so much more to a wedding day than food of course and the Castle will have a strong line-up of providers (including a florist and photographer) on hand from noon on Sunday. The wedding team at the friendly 4 star invites you to sample its wedding offering on Sunday, 11 November between 12pm- 4pm. Check it all out here.


“Un Histoire D’amour a Noel” at Flemings
Flemings Restaurant http://www.flemingsrestaurant.ie/(Tivoli) presents “a unique event of French song and fine food with a seasonal Christmas theme, created by our own Michael Fleming”.

On Saturday November 24th and on Thursday December 13th, you will have the opportunity to enjoy this special event.

Rouge et Noir; Roos Deml and Olivia O'Connell will sing well known French songs (think Edith Piaf & Jacques Brel)! €55 per person for an evening of great entertainment and great food.

Waterford's Winterval

500,000 visitors are expected to visit the city of Waterford later this month for inaugural festive festival ‘Winterval’. Details were unveiled by Ireland AM’s Anna Daly in the city this week.

In keeping the with tradition established back in medieval times when end-of-year markets sprung up as social gatherings where people could enjoy a little excess before the onset of bitter weather, a festive ‘Winterval Market’ will take over the heart of the medieval city where 60 beautifully decorated log cabins offering the very best quality and range of goods in food, craft, wooden traditional toys and decorations will feature throughout the festival.

The brand new Winterval Festival offers a jam packed schedule of fun filled activities featuring many ‘firsts’ for Ireland including the free ‘Sol Luminiere Lightshow’ a spectacular 3D sound and light show designed especially for Winterval, which will light up the Deanery in Cathedral Square each evening during the festival.

There is so much more. Read all about here!

Shorts

Dish of the Day from 2012 Rising Star Chef Chris Kulis of Capische?- Kihei, HI

Hawaiian Ranchers Beef Carpaccio, Horseradish Aïoli, Watermelon Radish, Garden Greens, Preserved Meyer Lemon Oil, Croutons, Fried Capers, and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Check out Chef Kulis and more of the 2012 Hawaii Rising Star winners today!

http://www.starchefs.com/cook/chefs/rising-stars/2012/hawaii/why-they-shine

Food & Drink Spotting. Blair’s Inn to Feed Munster!

Food and Drink Spotting
Blair’s Inn to Feed Munster!

Guess the weight - see below.

Duncan Blair has been in touch, telling us all about the monster #munstertwEATup at Blair’s Inn. “It's taking place here on Sunday 4th November. As you've probably noticed we're gone craft beer crazy the last few months. The response to our growing selection of Irish craft beers has been amazing. We want to celebrate our locally brewed beers and ciders at the tweet up.”

“The evening kicks off at 5.30pm with a Stonewell Cider Kir reception ... Daniel calls them Cork Kirs, but I reckon they're screaming out to be called Cute Cork Kirs! Then we'll sit down to a five course meal with accompanying craft beers. But these won't be any ordinary beers.”

“We’re extremely excited about the fact that Dungarvan Brewing Co are brewing up a magic potion just for the night. We will also have guest beers from the Eight Degrees Brewing Company and the Franciscan Well. We will also be highlighting the West Kerry Brewing Company. Then at 9pm ... we're only getting warmed up at this stage ... we have live music in the bar, where people can tuck into our great selection of Craft Beers.”

“So, that should be a great night. Of course, we have the wine night on the 31st October." Book your place for these events at Blair’s. Phone: 021 4381470 or Email: info@blairsinn.ie

Halloween at Nash 19

Before Halloween became the commercial event that it is nowadays, the Barmbrack, with ring and pea, stick, coin and rag (no HSA then!) was its most popular treat and a huge source of fun to see who would be married soon or who would live forever in poverty!

Must say I enjoyed those bracks from the local baker, though one had to be careful and not bite into the ring. The bracks have over the years declined in quality but you can get still get a taste of the real thing at Nash 19 where their in-house baked Barmbrack is one of the highlights of their Halloween food selection and it may be bought in the shop.

Head Chef Pam Kelly loves that brack but is also busy incorporating seasonal foods into the menu at the busy day-time restaurant. Pumpkin is being used of course in a number of guises and there is a Squash and Ginger Chutney going with the Loin of Bacon. This time of the year sees the advent of game on the menu and Pam particularly recommends their Beef and Venison Casserole.

THAT’s a PUMPKIN!!!

Halloween draws near and the mother of all pumpkins has landed in L’Atitude 51. Guess the correct weight of this oversized gourd and you could win a really nice prize.

“To enter you need to like us on Facebook  and tell us what weight you think this monster is. The winner will be announced on Halloween Night (in the meantime we better find a large scales). ……..I’ve a funny feeling pumpkin might be making a regular appearance on the specials menu in November.”

StarChefs.com

Dish of the Day from 2010 New York Rising Star Pastry Chef Alex Stupak of Empellon Cocina – New York, NY: Swordfish, Gooseberry Salsa, and Masa Chicharrónes. Stupak showed the Main Stage crowd the versatility of learned pastry skills, branching out into savoury with this creative masa glucose chicharrón dish on Day 2 of the ICC! See it all here.

Wine

Isn’t Mrs Tyrell an awful woman, trying to frighten the life out of me with tales of spooks and ghosts, even witches. No. Not really. The good lady is just trying to tip me off about some really good wines offers at The Wine Store. Check them out here.