CORK GEARS UP FOR OYSTER SHUCKING CHAMPIONSHIP. World record oyster shucker to fly in from Canada to judge the competition

 CORK GEARS UP FOR OYSTER SHUCKING CHAMPIONSHIP 

At the launch (L-R) Roger Russell, General Manager, Metropole Hotel;
Sandra Murphy, Group Brand and Communications Manager;
and Alex Petit, Group Executive Chef, Trigon Hotels. Pic: Brian Lougheed

World record oyster shucker to fly in from Canada to judge the competition 

The Metropole Hotel is getting ready for the Cork Oyster Shucking Championship which will form part of the Cork on a Fork festival next month.  Oyster shucking is the careful process of opening the shell to reveal the delicacy inside.

The three-time Guinness World Record Oyster Shucker Paddy McMurray, from Toronto, Canada will travel to Cork for the event.  Paddy, who delighted audiences with his talents at the Cork Oyster & Seafood Festival, will demonstrate his shucking skills as well as taking on the role of chief judge for the competition on the night.

The championship is open to participants of all skill levels - from beginners to oyster enthusiasts, seasoned seafood connoisseurs and professional chefs.  To ensure that all contestants have a fair chance, Paddy will conduct masterclasses earlier in the day. 

The evening will commence with an oyster reception, featuring a selection of Irish oysters.  The shucking competition will be the highlight of the evening, while guests will be treated to other activities such as an oyster hunt.  There will be entertainment on the night, while food writer Joe McNamee will be the MC for the evening.

Table packages are available for groups, complete with an assortment of seafood, light bites and canapés curated by Executive Group Chef of Trigon Hotels, Alex Petit.

Sandra Murphy, Group Brand and Communications Manager at Trigon Hotels, said; "We are thrilled to host the Cork Oyster Shucking Championship as part of this year's Cork on a Fork Festival.  We are delighted to welcome back the extraordinary talent of Paddy McMurray as our guest of honour and judge on the night.  As a three-time Guinness World Record Oyster Shucker and a celebrated figure in the world of seafood, Paddy's presence adds a level of excitement and expertise to the competition.  We invite all oyster enthusiasts, seafood lovers, and aspiring shuckers to join us for an evening filled with delicious flavours and the joy of celebrating the ocean's finest delicacy." 

The event takes place at The Metropole Hotel on August 19th from 7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Tickets are from €30 and are available on Eventbrite.  Those who want to participate in the shucking competition can email  smurphy@trigonhotels.com 

press release

New Afternoon Tea is the berries at the Metropole. A treat for summer weekends, Friday to Sunday

press release 

New Afternoon Tea is the berries at the Metropole

A treat for summer weekends, Friday to Sunday

Fresh, locally sourced strawberries and raspberries are the central feature of a new afternoon tea launched at the Metropole Hotel in Cork city.

The summer-themed menu is made up of sweet and savoury bites and treats using the very best local produce including award-winning strawberries from west Cork grower David Bushby. 

The afternoon tea includes raspberry and white chocolate mille-feuille tartlet; west Cork strawberries and Victoria sponge cake; warm Ardsallagh goat’s cheese, leek and herb tartlet; and poached prawn and salmon on Edward Buckley soda bread.

Guests will be treated to a Móinéir bramble cocktail and a summer berry Eton Mess served in a china cup on arrival. The cocktail is made using Móinéir Irish Strawberry Wine, which is created from handpicked Irish strawberries, along with Maharani gin supplied by Rebel City Distillery, freshly squeezed lemon juice and homemade syrup served in a small stemmed wine glass.

The new Afternoon Tea will be served throughout the summer on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm and is priced at €40 per person. 

General Manager of The Metropole Hotel, Roger Russell said; “We place a great emphasis on locally sourced produce in the Metropole Hotel and we wanted to ensure that our new afternoon tea gives guests the best of what Cork has to offer.  Strawberries and raspberries are strongly associated with summertime so our chefs have used the finest Cork berries to make some really exciting treats that we hope visitors and locals will enjoy over the coming months.” 

 

On the menu is: 

 

Top tier:

 

Raspberry and white chocolate mille-feuille tartlet

West Cork strawberries and Victoria sponge cake

Blackberry and chocolate cheesecake 

Lemon and lavender posset with marinated blueberries 

 

Middle tier:

 

Freshly baked scones with lemon curd, strawberry preserve, Irish salted butter and fresh cream

Lemon drizzle cake 

 

Lower tier:

 

Warm Ardsallagh goat’s cheese, leek and herb tartlet

Egg, bacon and mustard mayonnaise brioche 

Poached prawn and salmon on Edward Buckley soda bread

Cucumber, mint and crème fraiche on granary bread 

Reservations can be made online www.themetropolehotel.ie

HARLEY ST FOOD MARKET RETURNS TODAY WITH NEW GLOBAL MENU

 HARLEY ST FOOD MARKET RETURNS TODAY WITH NEW GLOBAL MENU

 

The Metropole Hotel has announced the return of Harley StrEAT, the popular summer destination for foodies who are always on the lookout for new tastes. The food market is set to start from Friday, June 9th onwards with a variety of cuisines ranging from Mexican, Middle Eastern, Thai and American. 

The newly launched menu is under the direction of Executive Head Chef of Trigon Hotels, Alex Petit, who is known for his innovative creations that blend flavours from different countries and regions. 

The food on offer has been made with locally sourced ingredients and will include both meat and vegetarian bites including Tacos Al Pastor, Falafel Gyro Bowl, Fried Chicken Waffle, BBQ Brisket Hash, and Thai Seafood Spice Box.  For the sweet tooth there is Limoncello Summer Posset and Vasil's Famous Baklava. Guests can look forward to enjoying a diverse range of dishes that will tickle their taste buds and tantalise their senses.

Roger Russell, General Manager at Metropole Hotel said, "We are thrilled to bring back the Harley StrEAT food market this summer. This is our way of offering guests and locals a unique culinary experience that showcases the diverse range of flavours while enjoying the fantastic summer vibe. Our team of chefs have ensured that there is something for everyone. I can’t wait for people to try out what’s on offer."

Located just a stone's throw away from Metropole Hotel, Harley Street is renowned for its vibrant street art, cultural integration and culinary adventure. The food market is open from Friday-Sunday 1pm – 7pm and Monday Bank Holidays 1-5pm.

For more information visit - https://www.harleysstreat.com/

press release

TRIGON HOTELS APPOINT FRENCH NATIVE ALEXANDRE PETIT AS GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF

press release 

TRIGON HOTELS APPOINT FRENCH NATIVE ALEXANDRE PETIT AS GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF

Alexandre Petit has been appointed as Group Executive Chef of Trigon Hotels. The position is a new role for the Cork-based group which operates The Metropole Hotel and the Cork International Hotel.

The French man has lived in Ireland for twenty years and has extensive experience running busy kitchens at four and five star hotels and fine dining restaurants. Alexandre was born in Paris and spent several years in Brittany before moving to Ireland at the age of 18. 

Alexandre took his first steps into a professional kitchen at the age of 15 when he worked as a kitchen porter. He obtained his Masters Degree in Kitchen Management in Dinard, Brittany. He has worked as a chef for the last 22 years, with senior roles in the Carrigaline Court Hotel, Kingsley Hotel, Hayfield Manor, Oysters Restaurant, Liss Ard Estate and the Celtic Ross Hotel. 

Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth said, “I am delighted to welcome Alexandre Petit to the Trigon team. Food is something we take very seriously at Trigon Hotels and we already have an incredible team of chefs in both The Metropole Hotel and the Cork International Hotel. Alexandre will be collaborating with both teams to elevate our food offering even further.”

Alexandre lives in West Cork with his wife and their three children. He said, “Food and cooking are my passions, I love everything about food whether it’s sourcing new ingredients or trying new trends. For me, it’s really important to use the very best of locally sourced ingredients. It’s all about consistency, supporting small producers and respecting the product. The possibilities are endless when you have the best, freshest and seasonal ingredients. It’s fantastic to work with such a strong team at Trigon Hotels and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”

Alexandre is passionate about sustainability and has recently joined Chefs’ Manifesto, a global network of chefs exploring how they can help deliver a sustainable food system.

He added, “Trigon Hotels is committed to minimising the impact its hotels have on the environment and it has a strong track record in this area. I’m really looking forward to playing my part and getting involved with Chefs’ Manifesto and learning from others about how to make a bigger positive impact. We all want a food system that is less wasteful, more nutritious and driven around sustainability.” 

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’

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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/

 

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