The MET X Maharani Afternoon Tea. A Delicious Fusion Of Cork and Kerala

The MET X Maharani Afternoon Tea

A Delicious Fusion Of Cork and Kerala

Spices from Kerala.

The successful local Rebel City distillery, whose lead product is Maharani gin (with Indian botanicals), and Cork’s Metropole Hotel joined forces to celebrate last week’s Cork on a Fork Fest with an Afternoon Tea.

But one with a difference. The Met's new head chef Vasil Baci took inspiration from the gin and its ingredients to create a taste of India over 3 plates! And that was extended by an Amuse Bouche and we were also treated to a Maharani Gin (with some black pepper cracked in on top, a favourite hack of Pierce Lowney, the hotel’s Food & Beverage Manager).

Distillery co-founders Robert Barrett and his wife Bhagya set up Rebel City in Cork in early 2020. The Maharani is copper pot distilled and, along with the usual suspects, including the essential juniper, distiller Robert has added three botanicals from Kerala. 

One is Pomelo Fruit, officially Citrus Grandis. Then you have Cassia (Cinnamomum Cassia) and also Nutmeg Mace (Myristica Fragrans). All three are sourced from the women’s farming cooperative in Kerala, Bhagya’s home state. Robert is very happy with the Maharani (means high queen): “a fusion of two creative cultures, a gin of truly transcendent taste”.

Scone with Rice Pudding!

And so here we are in the beautiful tea rooms of the Met, relaxing in a Sunday afternoon as two southern cities come together on a series of plates. That relaxation is part of the afternoon tea ritual and so too is the tea (and that wasn’t forgotten here).

The usual formula, savoury, scones and sweet was followed but there was certainly a difference, thanks to the Indian inputs, and here Chef Baci, using the freshest of local produce, was absolutely spot on with the combinations. That skilfully applied enhancing spicy touch of the east was a factor for sure but a subtle one. Very well balanced, as is said in the world of wine tasting.

The Amuse Bouche was a good indicator of what was to come, local and exotic coming together to put us on the way to perhaps the best Afternoon Tea we’ve enjoyed in years. Loved the Star Anise and cinnamon sweet shell tart, Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, roasted red peppers, basil beetroot gel and crushed chili; here the spices and the soft flavours of the cheese and beetroot waltzed gently and satisfactorily on the palate.

Sweet!

Now for the first plate, the Finger Sandwich Selection:

  

Smoked bacon and egg mayo, garden chive mini sweet slider.

Mini spiced chicken tarragon cracked poppadum wrap.

Market Smoked salmon, saffron lemon mayo, Indian style pickled red onion, brown home-made treacle soda bread, Maharani gin spritz.

Aloo Masala bite, Vienna sourdough bread, Mango chutney.

Started that quartet with the lovely slider and then found the following ones as good as the other.

Next up was the Dressed Scone, a homemade buttermilk chai spiced fruit mini scone, whipped vanilla double cream, raspberry jam. Another winner from the kitchen.

Pic by Rebel City.

Now for that final sweet lap, the Sweet Treats.

Vanilla & Passion fruit set lassi, fresh raspberry and mint.

Homemade mini banana bread, pistachio strawberry cream.

Mini coconut and honey pancake roll.

Spiced Rice Pudding.

Mini 73% Chocolate delice.

And there was also an unlisted Macaroon on the plate!

Some really excellent treats here, starting with the lassi, and the banana bread was also a beauty (especially with that cream!). The chocolate lived up to its name. But that Spiced Rice Pudding was my favourite, enhanced no end by the hidden treasure of generous fruit. Terrific end to a lovely relaxing afternoon in one of the most comfortable rooms in the city.

Cheers to Cork and to Kerala and here’s hoping we’ll all meet again with a plate somewhere! 

This was my final outing of the Cork on a Fork Festival, a very enjoyable few days indeed. Here's to 2023!

The Met. A place to relax. (pic by the Met)

METROPOLE HOTEL CELEBRATES 125 YEARS OF WELCOMING GUESTS TO THE HEART OF CORK CITY

METROPOLE HOTEL CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

OF WELCOMING GUESTS TO THE HEART OF CORK CITY

Pictured at the launch (L/R):  Sabina Krkić Bengez (Front Office Manager), Jan Mitchell (Deputy General Manager), Nicole O’ Leary (Rooms Division Duty Manager), Kylie Basnett (Corporate Sales & M.I.C.E. manager), Pierce Lowney (Food & Beverage Manager), Roger Russell (General Manager), Kevin O'Leary (Bar Manager) and Niall FitzGerald (Food & Beverage Training Specialist).

One of Ireland’s most historic hotels is celebrating 125 years at the centre of Cork life. The Metropole Hotel has welcomed Oscar winning actors, producers and directors, Nobel laureate writers and grammy award winning singers since its doors first opened in 1897. 

It was designed by architect Arthur Hill and built to the highest standards and opulence of the day by John Delaney and Co Builders. The Metropole was owned by the Musgrave family of merchants until 1977 when it was sold to a consortium of local businessmen. Today it is part of Trigon Hotels and employs more than 100 people. 

Over the years the Metropole has hosted many thousands of weddings and is even reported to have hosted King Edward VII for tea on the roof when he visited Cork in 1903 for the city’s Great Exhibition. It was a ‘dry hotel’ for several decades and was advertised as “Ireland’s Finest Unlicensed Hotel”.

The Metropole made headlines around the world in the 1950s when British actress Dawn Addams stayed there. She visited the city in 1957 for the Cork Film Festival which was screening her film ‘A King in New York’. Her requests for a bath of milk were refused by the hotel manager Douglas Vance as the people of Cork were finding it hard to make ends meet at the time.

Other notable guests include actors Gregory Peck and James Mason, directors Walt Disney, Vittoria de Sica and John Huston, writers John Steinbeck and Frank O’Connor as well as legendary Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. 

The Metropole is also responsible for the Cork Jazz Festival which has grown into a world-renowned annual event. It was founded by Sales and Marketing Manager Jim Mountjoy in 1978 and has attracted well over a million people to Cork on the October Bank Holiday weekend since then. 

Commenting on the 125th anniversary, Managing Director of Trigon Hotels Aaron Mansworth added, “It is a huge milestone to reach 125 years in business and that is in no small part to the thousands of people who have worked at the Metropole Hotel over the last 125 years. People like Douglas Vance who was General Manager for 38 years from 1944 until he retired in 1982. He transformed the hotel into the top class venue it is today introducing the highest standards of service and cleanliness. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to have such dedicated and loyal team members working with us today, many of whom have been at the Metropole for decades.”

To mark the 125th birthday, the hotel has launched a new cocktail menu giving a nod to the history and nostalgia of the hotel. It is also showcasing the history of the hotel with new displays and will be running tours for guests throughout the summer.  

General Manager Roger Russell added, “The Metropole has a fascinating history and one we’re really proud to celebrate. I hope that guests will find it as interesting as we do. Cork city has vastly changed over the years but the Metropole remains a constant. We have welcomed huge movie stars, famous singers and writers but every guest is special to us. It is wonderful to see generations of families return year after year celebrating the important milestones like christenings, weddings and anniversaries and I hope it will continue for another 125 years more.”

press release

METROPOLE HOTEL LAUNCHES ‘JAZZ’ RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR 50 FESTIVAL JOBS AND BEYOND

METROPOLE HOTEL LAUNCHES ‘JAZZ’ RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR 50 FESTIVAL JOBS AND BEYOND

 

The Metropole Hotel in Cork has launched a recruitment drive to fill 50 job openings for this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and beyond. 

 

The two recruitment open days will take place on Tuesday 12th October and Wednesday 13th October from 5pm to 7pm at the Metropole Hotel. 

 

The Metropole is looking for experienced bar staff, floor staff, cloakroom staff and cleaning attendants. They are asking people to bring along their CVs and references to the open days.

 

Roger Russell, General Manager of the Metropole Hotel said: “We are very excited about the return of this year’s Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and as always the Metropole Hotel will be at the heart of the action. We are looking for team members to join our busy team for the Festival and we are hoping to meet people at the recruitment drive who would be interested in working with us over the festival weekend and beyond.”

 

The Metropole Hotel in Cork, which is the home of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival recently launched its 2021 programme. The hotel’s weekend programme includes over 50 acts over four days from the 22nd to 25th of October. 

 

The Metropole Hotel Cork is part of the Trigon Hotels. For further queries contact: careers@trigonhotels.com 

TRIGON HOTELS TOP THE BILL ON ‘OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE’

press release 

TRIGON HOTELS TOP THE BILL ON ‘OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE’

Cork group’s team delighted to see ‘massive efforts’ rewarded

 

Trigon Hotels has claimed victory at Ireland’s inaugural Operational Excellence Awards. The group, which includes the Metropole Hotel, the Cork International Hotel and the Cork Airport Hotel won the Hotel and Leisure category and were finalists in the overall Operational Excellence Award division.

 

The awards developers, Business River say the programme aims to recognise and reward those committed to ‘operational excellence and business transformation’. In their submission to the judges, the Trigon hotels team highlighted how both of these topics were priorities for them over the past 18 months. 

 

Since establishing a company-wide COVID-19 committee at the start of 2020, Trigon Hotels has led the way in adopting necessary health provisions and transforming their business to cope with the great upheaval its industry is still enduring.

 

The three hotels also devised new and innovative ways of being part of their respective communities, like afternoon tea deliveries, a takeaway cafe service, online cocktail demonstrations and a wide range of other digital offerings via the ‘Hotel at Home Hub’.

 

Trigon Hotels has also been busy on the Health and Safety and Sustainability front. 2020 saw the group recruit a Health and Safety coordinator and each of the three hotels now also has a trained Mental Health First Aider. The group’s Greening & Sustainability working group has been in place for 12 months. 

 

Aaron Mansworth, Managing Director from Trigon Hotels says: “We are truly delighted to get this good news from the Operational Excellence Awards. Each one of our team has worked so hard and been through so much over the past 18 months and they absolutely deserve this recognition. I’d like to thank the award judges for the opportunity to showcase our hard work and of course our fantastic and loyal customers who have been so supportive at a very difficult time.” 

EXCITING FOOD MARKET OPENS IN CORK. HARLEY'S STREET THE PLACE TO EAT.

 Press release

EXCITING STREET FOOD MARKET OPENS IN CORK 

Harley’s Street Food Market launched with tacos, burgers, cocktails and coffee

A vibrant new street food offering has opened in the heart of Cork’s Victorian Quarter. Harley’s StrEAT Market is located next to The Metropole Hotel and features cocktails and coffee, tacos and speciality BBQ burgers all made with locally sourced ingredients.

The first vendors are Taco Rebel, Bevs and Brews, and BBQ pop-up Bird Song in the City. More food stalls are set to be added soon. The market is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 8pm. 

Outdoor seating is available on Harley Street which has views of the Lee and is home to one of the Ardú Street Art Project murals. 

Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth says: “Harley’s StrEAT Market is a wonderful addition to the Victorian Quarter in Cork. There is plenty of space on Harley Street to savour local produce by the Lee and I’m looking forward to seeing even more food additions being added in the coming weeks and months. In particular, I would like to extend my gratitude to Cork City Council who have been a wonderful support and instrumental in assisting with bringing this to life. The backdrop of the artwork really adds to the colour and vibrancy of the street - Ardú is the Irish for rise and this food market is just one example of how Cork is rising to the challenge of Covid-19 once again.”

BUBBLES ARE FLOWING AT METROPOLE'S FESTIVAL OF PROSECCO

 BUBBLES ARE FLOWING AT METROPOLE'S FESTIVAL OF PROSECCO

Kevin O'Leary, Metropole Hotel (left), Aaron Mansworth, MD, Trigon Hotels and Sandra Murphy of the Trigon 

The Metropole Hotel Cork is hosting the annual event which includes virtual cocktail tutorials, recipes and a live masterclass

 

The annual “Festival of Prosecco” has kicked off at The Metropole Hotel in Cork. This month the festival, which is now in its third year, is going online to bring you amazing food and drink experiences from the comfort of your own home.

 

As part of the festival, The Metropole Hotel will host a virtual prosecco cocktail and charcuterie evening on Friday 28th May. Guests can collect a box from the hotel on the day of the event and that evening they will join head mixologist, Kevin O’Leary on Zoom for a fun-filled cocktail making masterclass. The box will include ingredients to make three cocktails per person and a delicious charcuterie board prepared by executive head chef Trevor O’ Keeffe. The cost is €70 for two people.

 

Sandra Murphy from The Metropole Hotel said, “We are delighted to host this brilliant festival again this year. It usually takes place in our Prosecco Lounge at The MET Cork with visiting winemakers from Italy, however, this year we are bringing the festival to people virtually so that you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. We have a fantastic evening planned on the 28th of May filled with tasty cocktail recipes and delicious food. It’s the perfect way to kick off your summer in style. Make sure to book early as places for this virtual event and dining experience are limited and bookings will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.”

 

In addition to this live event, The Metropole Hotel will also share weekly cocktail tutorials and recipes across their digital platforms. Followers can check out The Metropole Hotel’s Instagram and Facebook pages where head mixologist, Kevin O’ Leary will share a cocktail recipe of the week every Friday and a video tutorial on how to make the cocktail every Saturday.

 

For more information about the “Festival of Prosecco” and the live cocktail masterclass you can call (021) 464 3700 or visit https://www.themetropolehotel.ie/whats-on/events-in-cork/festival-of-prosecco/

 

press release

SPOIL YOUR DAD THIS FATHER’S DAY WITH A MAN BOX!

 SPOIL YOUR DAD THIS FATHER’S DAY WITH A MAN BOXThe Metropole Hotel in Cork has launched its MAN BOX with Beamish Cookies, Socks, Sausage Rolls and Craft Beer

With Father’s Day just around the corner, The Metropole Hotel in Cork is offering a fantastic gift idea that will show Dads and Granddads just how much you love them. 

“The Man Box”, which includes an array of delicious freshly cooked food and drink, is the perfect gift for those of you struggling to find the right present for your Dad, husband, granddad or father-in-law this year.

Roger Russell from The Metropole Hotel Cork says “Why not put a smile on your Dad’s face this Father’s Day and treat him to a gift fit for a king! We’ve come up with the perfect menu so you can spoil your Dad from the comfort of his own home. It’s quick and easy to order and contains a great selection of food and beer and we’ve even thrown in a Yorkie bar and a cosy pair of socks!”

What’s included:

• A mouth watering 10-hour braised feather blade of beef with crispy onions, served with a flat bread and delicious mint yoghurt dip.

• Matt O’Connell’s famous smoked salmon with cream cheese and pickled red onion, served on fresh soda bread from Cuthbert’s bakery.

• The MET house jumbo sausage roll with sweet tomato relish.

• Sweet double chocolate and Beamish cookies.

• House made mini strawberry Swiss roll.

• Selection of craft beer.

Skip the last minute gift buying this year and order “The Man Box” from The Metropole Hotel Cork today. “The Man Box” can be purchased for €40 and is available from June 17th to June 20th for collection from The Metropole Hotel Cork directly.

You can place your order today by calling (021) 4643700 or book here; https://www.themetropolehotel.ie/fathers-day-cork/ 

Located in the heart of the Victorian Quarter in Cork’s City Centre, The Metropole Hotel Cork is Cork’s most iconic hotel, world-renowned for over 123 years of hospitality and warm service.

For further information you can visit www.themetropolehotel.ie

press release

TRIGON HOTELS GIVES A DAY OFF TO THE TEAM AS A “THANK YOU”

press release 

TRIGON HOTELS GIVES A DAY OFF TO THE TEAM AS A “THANK YOU”

 

National Workplace wellbeing day will take place on Friday 30th April 2021. At Trigon Hotels, wellbeing in the workplace has always been of paramount concern and to celebrate Workplace Wellbeing Day, all team members are being gifted a ‘Wellness Day’ to enjoy such much needed R&R as a gesture of gratitude by the company’s Managing Director, Aaron Mansworth (pictured above).

In a year like no other, with the hospitality industry being so severely impacted by Covid 19, the mental and physical wellbeing of the team was of critical importance. 

Throughout this past year, there have been a variety of initiatives to support the teams across the Cork International Hotel, the Cork Airport Hotel and the Metropole Hotel. Some of these include the Trigon Team Support Hub, which is an internal hub which has provided direct access to the various supports that have been needed during Covid 19 – including mental health supports, financial advice, wellbeing supports and so much more. 

The hotels have also hosted some fun events including zoom bingo, a virtual Halloween party for the children of team members and a virtual awards ceremony. They are currently in the process of organising their ‘Trigons Got Talent’ so their team members can show off their secret talents to their colleagues.

Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth said: “This past year has been incredibly challenging for so many people, and in particular at industry level, within the tourism and hospitality sector. The team have overcome many hurdles in order to protect the business and livelihoods and for that I am immensely grateful. They collectively worked in order to change the way that we do business in order to stay connected to our guests and communities. I am so proud of each team member and grateful for their commitment, hard work and dedication. As a gesture of thanks, I am delighted to gift each team member a ‘wellness day’. They can use this paid days leave any way they wish so whether it’s a day outdoors in nature or a day on the sofa, once they get to recharge their batteries and relax”.

Tickets now on sale for Cork Business of the Year Awards and President’s Dinner At Home

 CBA launches tickets for Cork Business of the Year Awards

and President’s Dinner At Home

Beetroot Starter - Metropple

~ Taoiseach to address Cork’s business community at virtual event ~
~Taste of the City at Home food experience will be a collaborative showcase of Cork hotels and producers ~

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will make an address to Cork’s business community at their upcoming President’s Dinner At Home and Cork Business of the Year Awards, which takes place virtually this year on April 17^th.

An exceptional evening of celebration, awards, great food, light entertainment and networking, and panel discussions with business and civic leaders, has been planned for the evening.

The dinner is always a stunning showcase of Cork produce, and this year will be no different.   Attendees will enjoy a Taste of the City at Home culinary experience, which is a collaboration between Cork’s top hotel chefs and well-known Nash19 owner and past CBA President, Claire Nash.  Claire, who has been a leading organiser in Cork’s famous Long Table Dinner over the past few years, says “the quality of the food will be on a par with the Long Table and will showcase our favourite local producers and the extraordinary talent of local chefs who are pushing the boundaries with their food.”

The Cork Business of the Year Awards will also be presented on the evening.  The finalists were announced last week and 7000 public votes have already been received.  Voting is open on CBAAwards.ie for the remainder of the month.

Commenting on the annual President’s Dinner and Awards, President of the Cork Business Association Eoin O Sullivan said, “The event will not only recognise businesses and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution over the past year, and those who have shown true resilience in one of the most difficult of trading years, but it will also be a stunning showcase of Cork produce and the amazing culinary talents of local chefs. They have put their creativity and their hearts into the dishes to make the menu truly unique.

Nettle Soup - Cork International

“This is a sharing dinner for two and is the perfect way to say thank-you to your team who have put down an extraordinary year, as behind every good employee is a great partner or friend.  We hope the night will give everyone a much-needed lift. We are also very grateful to An Taoiseach for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to make an address, and to our sponsors JCD, Centra, Peninsula and the Irish Examiner for their incredible support.”

The dine-at-home experience for two, which will be available for collection from The Imperial Hotel on the day of the event, includes six courses of daring and delicate dishes from six different chefs that will not only showcase their individual creativity but will also use the best local produce that can be found in and around Cork. 

The mouth-watering menu includes a carpaccio of Waterfall farm beetroot, Ballycotton seared scallops and crab remoulade, locally foraged nettle soup, West Cork Angus filet of beef wellington, locally grown rhubarb, along with Cork cheese and breads. (see the full menu below).

Not only that but there will be champagne and wine pairing, along with tasting notes for every course, and guests will finish the meal with an Irish coffee made with local Jameson Whiskey, Mahers fairtrade coffee and Glounn Cross cream.  Other surprises will also be included in the dine-at-home boxes for two.

The chefs involved in the food experience are from the Metropole, the Imperial, the Cork International, the Kingsley, Nash19, and Vienna Woods.

The Cork Business Association is encouraging everyone to dress up on the night and to share their experience on Twitter.  They will be linking into people’s homes via social media and there’ll be plenty of prizes for the best dressed, the best presented meal, and the best tweet!” 

 

Beef Wellington - Kingsley

The charity partner is Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, and the awards and event are sponsored by JCD, Centra, Peninsula, and The Irish Examiner is the media partner.

 

Tickets are priced at €95 per person (€190 for the dinner for 2) and are on a first come first served basis.  They will go on sale at 12pm noon on 18 March. To book or for more information see CBAAwards.ie, contact (021) 427 8295 or info@corkbusiness.ie . 

 

The President’s Taste of the City at Home Dinner includes:

Carpaccio of Waterfall Farm Beetroot, Roasted Almonds, Metropole Hotel

Ballycotton Seared Scallop & Crab remoulade, Smoked Salmon, Blas Caviar, Sea Asparagus, Imperial Hotel

Soup of Foraged Nettle and wild garlic, Bacon salt, Cork International Hotel

West Cork Angus, Filet of Beef Wellington, Fermented Barley, Celeriac & Black Garlic Puree, Morel Jus, The Kingsley

Cheeses, Mature Gubbeen & Ash Ardsallagh Goats, Fig Confit, Nash19

Rhubarb & Rosewater Posset, Gingerella & Pistachio Crumb, Cherry Flake, Apple Blossom Syrup, Cork’s Vienna Woods

Breads, Brown Soda & Sourdough, Alternative Bread Company

***

Champagne and Wine Pairing

Irish Coffee, with Jameson, Mahers Fairtrade, Smothered with Glounn Cross Cream

OUTDOOR CAFE ON HARLEY STREET AIMING TO ENHANCE THE CHRISTMAS CHEER

press release 

Metropole GM Roger Russell

OUTDOOR CAFE ON HARLEY STREET AIMING TO ENHANCE THE CHRISTMAS CHEER

A new cafe has opened on Harley Street in Cork City. The Harley Street Market is serving up an array of festive treats this year. Drinks include Christmas Punch, Mulled Wine, Hotel Whiskeys and Hot Chocolate. They will also be serving a Pulled Pork Bap and a McCarthys Artisan Sausage Bap. 

The Harley Street café is a long term project and will open throughout the year. It will be operated by the Metropole Hotel. 

The Metropole Hotel is delighted to once again be welcoming guests and they are urging people to support local businesses this festive season which will in turn support local jobs and local suppliers. . 

The Metropole Hotel is 123 years old and in that time they have been through the Spanish flu, World War 1, World War 2, War of Independence, Easter Rising, Civil War, Polio and smallpox outbreaks, Wall Street Crash, the Ash Cloud, Foot and Mouth, Bird flu.

General Manager, Roger Russell said: “The Metropole Hotel has been through so much and has always come out the other side. We will come out the other side of this pandemic too. We are so glad to see our guests coming back through our doors and we are so looking forward to the weeks ahead where we can treat them as they escape the hustle and bustle outside.”

This year the Metropole Hotel has its own real life Elf of the Shelf which will be seen throughout December at the hotel. Guests have been told to be on the look-out for the hotel’s elf - Peppermint Tinselbottom as she aims to spread cheer this festive season. 

Also, in order to raise funds for their charity partner, Cork Penny Dinners, the front office team at The Metropole are now taking orders for children’s letters from Santa’s Little Helper. The letters are €6.50 each and for each letter sold €5 of the payment will go directly to Cork Penny Dinners.

Trigon Hotels, which includes the Metropole Hotel, Cork International Hotel and the Cork Airport Hotel have just launched their Gift Card, a first for the hotel and in perfect time for the festive season ahead. They are encouraging people to ‘shop local’, saying it has never been more important. With Trigon, as well as supporting local employment people are also supporting Trigon’s local suppliers including their food suppliers, beverage suppliers, printers and so much more. 

The Metropole Hotel in Cork's Victorian Quarter is hopeful of a busy and bustling Christmas in Corks City Centre. They are currently offering a popular festive afternoon tea which is available for delivery, takeaway or dine in. Equally so, the “Bottomless Brunch” is in full swing at the weekends in December and there is also a takeaway brunch option.