Monday, August 29, 2022

Friday is wine night at Grainstore and Ballymaloe House

Wine Events at Ballymaloe

Friday 2nd and 9th of September
Thomas (left) and Colm


There's a@feastcork wine event Friday 2nd September 6.30pm in the Grainstore at Ballymaloe. Colm McCan is enthusiastic: "I'm
looking forward to Thomas Walk @thomaswalkvineyard #irishvineyard #irishwine joining me for the wine talk and tasting @feastcork event in @ballymaloe_grainstore - Thomas will talk about his Co.Cork vineyard and taste his wine." #irishwine @ballymaloe_grainstore with Ted Berner @wildsidecatering #feastcork #eastcork #wildsidecatering



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Hosted by Niels and Penny Verburg of Luddite Wines.

Friday 9th September at 7pm in the Long Room at Ballymaloe House

€155 per person

Book via 021 465 2531

Limited availability, so please book early via 021 465 2531

An entertaining and delicious South African wine event with the wonderful Niels and Penny Verburg of Luddite Wines, Bot River, Western Cape, South Africa.  Guaranteed to be a delicious and interesting evening with these entertaining duo returning to Ballymaloe House for the first time since 2012.  We are looking forward to welcoming them back.

https://www.capewinemakersguild.com/users/niels-verburg

https://luddite.co.za/about/

More info here.


A Quart of Ale± #121. On the craft journey with Bullhouse, 12 Acres, Wicklow Wolf, Eight Degrees

 A Quart of Ale± #121

On the craft journey with Bullhouse, 12 Acres, Wicklow Wolf, Eight Degrees



12 Acres Pale Ale 4.6%, 440ml can O’Brien’s Douglas


Not my first time coming across this 12 Acres Pale Ale, from County Laois, with its soft white head that sinks fairly quickly. The colour has more amber than pale. And the aromas speak more of malt than hops and so it continues onto the palate. In addition to their own malt, they also use a small quantity of three European speciality malts, giving even more malt body, texture and additional caramel flavours to the beer. 


But the three Americans hops,Cascade, Willamette and Citra, help give bitterness plus citrus and tropical flavours to balance the malt sweetness. So what you get is a delicious refreshing dry hopped golden pale ale.


They say: Our award winning flagship beer, our pale ale is a take on the American Pale Ale (APA) style, with more emphasis on the malt flavour than a traditional APA. Our own spring water is the main ingredient and we add our own pale ale base malt which forms the majority of the grist, to give the fermentable sugars and flavour to our beer…By brewing with our own malted barley and Killeshin spring water from deep beneath the same land, we are producing unique Irish craft beers with traceability from our ground to your glass.”


A lot of attention to detail here and it pays off. Best served 6-8 degrees and it goes great with spicy foods.

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8 Degrees Citra Single Hop IPA, 5.7%, 440ml can O’Brien’s Douglas



They, 8 Degrees, say: Citra, with its fruity, juicy aroma and flavour, is one of our favourite hops. To showcase it, we’ve used a simple, yet elegant, malt body …. This is a beer that is both sweet and tart, with a gloriously juicy mouthfeel.

Orange/gold is the colour of this Citra Single Hop from Eight Degrees, the adventurous brewery. It’s got a white bubbly head. Aromas are, surprise, surprise, citrus with a floral touch as well. The combined fruit flavours come out to play on the juicy palate and you’ll note peach, melon, lime, gooseberry, passion fruit and lychee in the mix with the malt on display. It’s a refreshing really well-balanced beer, with a nicely judged bitter finish. 


Geek Bits
2020 World Beer Awards – Gold
2019 World Beer Awards – Gold

Style: Single hop IPA
Malt: Irish pale ale malt
Hops: Citra, Citra and…Citra!
Strength: 5.7% ABV
Bitterness: 62 IBUs

Food pairings from the Mitchelstown brewery are among the best around:
The bitterness in this Citra Single Hop IPA will cut beautifully through sweet low-and-slow pulled pork served with a chilli-spiked peach relish. The beer also will counterbalance the bold flavours of barbecued chicken wings and play nicely with some grilled spicy fresh Gubbeen chorizo sausages. Try it with a not-too-sweet Key Lime pie for a full-on citrus ending to your meal.

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Bullhouse Suds DDH Pale Ale 4.5%, 440ml can Yards & Crafts



Slurp down some Suds! More hops.


That’s the can label encouragement from Belfast Brewery Bullhouse. And this Double Dry Hopped murky orange coloured Pale Ale is certainly well endowed with hops  (Eldorado, Talus and Azacca) especially in the aromas, and also on the palate.  By now the soft pillowy head has slumped to mere disc but you won’t be worried as the tropical fruits and an input of citrus take over on the smooth and satisfactory ride to the finish. Well made, well balanced.


Last May, Bullhouse took delivery of a brand new (to them) 25HL brewhouse and 6 additional 25HL FVs. 



“We’ve always invested more heavily in our cold-side equipment than in any hot-side stuff, because you can make really good wort on pretty basic kit, but you can’t make really good hoppy beer with poor quality cold-side equipment.”


“We ended up going for a system from a cask brewery in England that had closed down. We now have a 50HL direct fire HLT, 40HL German made mash tun (with side manway) and a 30HL direct fire kettle.” 


The new kit means Bullhouse have the capability to “double our weekly production to 60HL with the same amount of effort”. Well if this Suds is anything to go by, the investment is well worthwhile. Best of luck.



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Wicklow Wolf Jeff Bezos Hopfenweisse 6.3%, 440 ml can Bradleys


Introducing No. 30 in our Endangered Species series; Heff Bezos. This release is another example of our brewer’s passion and creativity running wild. A modern twist on the classic hefeweizen beer style, Heff Bezos is a hop forward wheat beer. 


That’s the Wicklow Wolf intro to Heff Bezos. Colour is a murky, opaque, orange with a. Soft slowly sinking bubbly white head. Aromas are a puzzle. I’m expecting banana and clove but initially getting a smoky bacon whiff but go again and it is somewhat closer to the expected combo.

On the palate, the Hopfenweisse continues to carry the banana clove combo yet is is somewhat tartier than the usual. Perhaps the yeast ( a hefeweizen yeast strain from our friends at WHC) is the disrupting factor? No shortage of flavours though with notes of citrus, tropical (including mango) and pine. And, as this first meeting comes to an end, I’m feeling very much at home with Jeff, sorry Heff!

I’m presuming the name Heff Bezos is a play on Jeff Bezos. Jeff, the multi-billionaire (ex Amazon), may be rare but hardly endangered.

Wicklow say this is a style of beer “that we have planned to brew for quite some time now, this Hopfenweisse is brewed with modern hops (Citra, Idaho 7 & Talus)  and fermented using a hefeweizen yeast strain from our friends at WHC*. You can expect a burst of citrus & tropical fruit flavours complimented by aromatic, fruity esters coming through from the hefeweizen yeast.” 

* WHC Lab is a Fermentation and Quality control company in Wicklow



Talbot Collection relaunch innovative Trainee Chef Development Programme

  

Left to right: Dr. Deirdre Keyes, Chief Executive KWETB; Philip F. Gavin, Managing Director, The Talbot Collection; Eileen Cullen, Head of Training Services and Innovation, KWETB; Natalie Power, Group HR Manager, the Talbot Collection. The Talbot Collection, one of the country’s well-established hotel groups has announced the relaunch of their hugely successful Chef Development Programme for a second consecutive year in partnership with KWETB .

 

 

Talbot Collection relaunch innovative Trainee Chef Development Programme



Training programme first of its kind in Ireland proved huge success in 2021 and returns for 2022


According to the Restaurant Association of Ireland, there is currently a shortage of 7,000 chefs in Ireland. 


As Ireland’s hospitality industry continues to struggle to return to pre-pandemic service levels, The Talbot Collection, one of the country’s well-established hotel groups, had their own novel solution to reducing chef shortages across the group by investing in the development of an innovative training programme for Trainee Chefs.


With an investment of more than €250,000, the Talbot Collection set a precedent last year with their Chef Development Programme, the first of its kind in Ireland.


The programme will return for 2022 following the success of last year’s course which saw 19 chefs across the hotel collection have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry at the KWETB professional training kitchens and upon completion of the 25-weeks of full-time training, each candidate will receive a City and Guilds Level 2, Diploma in Culinary Skills (the equivalent to a QQI Level 5 Award). 


Running in conjunction with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), all trainees will receive a salary, accommodation, meals, and transport for the duration of the 25-week programme. The aim of the programme is to help trainee Chefs learn, progress, and excel in their careers with a growing, progressive, and family-owned Irish company.


Following the programme, they will have the opportunity to learn and work on-the-job with a team of experienced Chefs in one of The Talbot Collection’s six hotels: Talbot Hotel Wexford, Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, Talbot Hotel Carlow, Midleton Park Hotel, Oriel House Hotel or the Talbot Hotel Clonmel.  This will be a continued permanent, full-time, and salaried contract as a Junior Commis Chef.  Throughout their time on the job, candidates will receive continuous development by way of on-the-job training and experience, as well as additional online modules.  They will also have the opportunity at the end of this tenure to take part in the Level 6 National Commis Chef Programme. 


Nigel Corbett, Head Chef of the Talbot Collection Wexford, said of the training “We spent several months last year carefully creating and developing this programme to ensure that participants receive the highest level of training from some of the most skilled professionals. The success of last year’s programme and the talent and creativity produced was instrumental in our decision to relaunch the course this year, it really is a brilliant opportunity for anyone seeking to further their career as a chef in the hospitality industry.”


Group Managing Director of the Talbot Collection Philip F. Gavin said he is extremely proud of the work that’s gone into the training programme. “I had the pleasure of visiting the trainees on site last year in one of the training centres and to say I was excited and proud at what I experienced is an understatement! This training programme remains the first of its kind in Ireland and we’re hopeful that other businesses and groups will follow suit and start to invest in our hospitality industry in a similar way. The experience and practical skills that these trainee chefs are learning are truly second to none and after the success of last year’s programme I am very excited to see the talent that will emerge from this year’s programme.” The content covered and skills taught will immerse up-and-coming chefs in the very latest in all things culinary.


Celebrity chef Derry Clarke heaped praise on the initiative, adding it was a wonderful initiative for anyone who has ever considered becoming a chef.

“The Talbot Collection is very forward-thinking in providing this opportunity which is open to all.  Cheffing is a life skill not just a way of life,” Mr Clarke added.


Jelena Medvedeva was one of the trainees who completed last year’s very first Chef Development Programme, she now works at the Talbot Collection Carlow as a Commis Chef. She said this of her experience: The Chef Development Programme taught me a lot and shaped me into the Chef I am today. I have reached many milestones during my time completing the programme at the Talbot Hotel Carlow.

Our level 5 had a mix of existing industry members and complete newbies, but nonetheless we all mixed and worked as a team to make sure that we all moved along as one unit. We were pushed by our teachers to be the best we could be by the time we finished up, and either went back to the industry or went on further in the education field. 

I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without Talbot Collection Chef Development Programme and the guidance and mentorship of Head Chef William Bayle, I loved my experience here and I am excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead.

 

Eileen Cullen, Head of Training Services and Innovation in Kildare and Wicklow ETB said they are delighted to have partnered with the Talbot Collection on this initiative:

“I am delighted to see the return of the Chef Development Programme this year, the programme is returning at the perfect time to assist in combating staff shortages in the hospitality industry and we welcome the investment in training and support by the Talbot Collection.


 

“The success of last year’s programme is evident, with 11 chefs now working in full-time positions within the industry. The KWETB looks forward to working with The Talbot Collection again this year and we would encourage those looking to improve their skills in a supportive and progressive environment to consider applying.”


Further information on The Talbot Collection Chef Development Programme can be found www.talbotcollection.ie #TeamTalbot

Should you be interested in working with an innovative, progressive Irish-owned Hotel Collection, contact your nearest Talbot Collection Hotel or email Natalie Power, Group HR Manager at npower@talbothotelgroup.ie.


press release

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Everyone’s a winner at the Curry Night for Hope in The Grainstore

 Everyone’s a winner at the Curry Night for Hope in The Grainstore

All ready! The calm before the curry.


A couple of weeks back, I spotted a notice on social media about a Curry Night in the Grainstore at Ballymaloe. This could be different, I thought, and read on. A couple of things confirmed my first thoughts and hooked me in. One was that it was a fundraiser for Hope and the other was that Green Saffron’s Arun Kapil, the spice expert, was involved in the curry. Hard to resist the combination of a good cause and a good curry. Win win, I said, and booked my tickets.


Mol an oige! While she didn’t quite use that phrase, Hope’s Honorary Director Maureen Forrest (who set up the organisation in 1999), used it as a theme and praised the many young people who have helped Hope over the years. 

Hot in the kitchen. Arun's selfie
with Aoibheann and Liam in background.


Two of the current students, Aoibheann and Liam, had led this Curry Night Fundraiser and, with help, especially from Arun and Olive, put on quite an evening including cocktails and mocktails, the curry, dessert and lots of raffles sponsored by local businesses such as Frank Hederman, Cully & Sully, Green Saffron, Supervalu, Sage,  and others including Ballymaloe itself. I didn’t win any of the prizes but I still consider myself a winner such was the feel good factor.


Just to give you a taste after the event, here’s the menu:


Jolly Jaipur Cocktail or Mocktail with Smoked Salmon (marinated in Panch Phoran, Lime Juice and soft herbs) and Gol Gappas (chickpea, potato and tomato chaat). This was served upstairs, quite a “noisy” upstairs as the 100 plus diners gathered.

Curry, Dahl and Naan


Soon we all trooped downstairs, quite eagerly, to our tables. Orderly queues were organised as the main dish was served buffet style. And that was Chicken Korma, Red Lentil Dahl, Roast Cauliflower and potatoes in spices with rice, Raita and the best ever Naan! An excellent plateful.


Raffles were held during the interval and we finished with dessert at the table, another lovely dish of Mango Kulfi (ice-cream!), Garam Palmiers with rose and pistachio sprinkles. 






Students Liam and Aoibheann, well supported here by a generous East Cork community (acknowledged by Maureen Forrest) have been given the opportunity to raise funds for the Hope Foundation and travel to Kolkata, India, to visit the homes and hospital that Hope have set up in order to protect and educate children in poverty.


Since 2003, HOPE have been working with schools across Ireland through Development Education. “Engaging with students is one of the best ways to raise awareness of the work we do with street and slum children in Kolkata. Development Education is driven by the strong belief of ‘students helping students’, whereby learning and understanding the reality of poverty inspires young people to take action for change. We consider all students from primary, secondary and third levels who are involved with our work to be Ambassadors for HOPE; reaching out to young people far less fortunate and taking real steps to a better, more fair world.”


For more info contact HOPE’s Schools Coordinator – schools@hopefoundation.ie.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Cork Bars Score Well In National Awards as Blue Haven (double gold), Shelbourne, Franciscan Well, Bodega, Cask, Montenotte, bring home medals!

Cork Bars Score Well In National Awards

Shelbourne smiles.

as Blue Haven (double gold), Shelbourne, Franciscan Well, Bodega, Cask, Montenotte, bring home medals!


Dublin's Bar 1661 was named the Bar of the Year winner as a string of Cork bars did well in this week's Irish Bar of the Year Awards 

The winners of all categories were revealed at a gala awards ceremony on 22nd August in the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin, hosted by Alan Shortt, where many more winners were recognised and celebrated on the night. Those looking to sample today’s on trend cocktails should look no further than The Tack Room at Adare Manor Co.Limerick which took home Cocktail Bar of the Year (sponsored by Beam Suntory) while those looking for a Late Bar / Nightclub Of the Year (Sponsored By Southern Comfort) can head to R.I.O.T Bar in Dublin.. For anyone looking for the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine you can head to Piglet Wine Bar in Dublin who took home the award for Wine Bar of the Year.

Blue Haven heading home with a hatful of medals!

The pressure wasn’t just on the judging panel, each shortlisted property was put forward for The Dingle Gin People’s Choice Award, which was voted for by the public. As the nation voted for their favourite pubs by province, The Dingle Gin People’s Choice Awards Saw Cafe En Seine in Dublin and Judge Roy Beans tops in Leinster. Dolans Limerick took both the regional and the overall title in Munster with An Pucan being awarded for Connacht/Ulster.

The Bar of the Year Awards and Licensing World were delighted to present the Tasting Village which showcased a variety of new and well established drinks, our guests enjoyed the opportunity to taste an array of local Irish and international brands.
2022 Winners Revealed
5 Star Hotel Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar at Ashford Castle Hotel Co.Mayo
Silver Winner - Park Hotel Kenmare, Co.Kerry
Bronze Winner -The Garden Bar,Killarney,Co.Kerry
Sponsored by Schweppes

Bar Food of the Year

Gold Winner - The Blue Haven,Kinsale, Co.Cork

Silver Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Dublin

Bronze Winner - Blake's Corner Bar,Galway

Best Bar to Watch the Match
Gold Winner - The Stores at 33 South Main, Naas, Co.Kildare
Silver Winner - Hamlets Bar, Kinsale, Co.Cork
Bronze Winner - Buskers On The ball, Dublin
Sponsored by Sky

Bar Manager of the Year
Jim Gordon, Revolution Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar, Waterford

Best Designed Bar / Inside Space
Gold Winner - McKendry's Bar at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, Co.Antrim
Silver Winner-The Snug Skerries, Dublin
Bronze Winner -The Stores at 33 South Main, Naas, Co.Kildare
Sponsored by Malfy

Best Live Entertainment
Gold Winner - The Quays Bar and Music Hall,Galway
Silver Winner- Dolans Limerick,Limerick
Bronze Winner - J.M Reidy's, Killarney, Co.Kerry


Best Newcomer
Gold Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Dublin
Silver Winner- Lennan’s Yard, Dublin
Bronze Winner - Jackies, Dublin
Sponsored by Istil 38

City Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - 101 Limerick, Limerick
Silver Winner- Left Bank, Kilkenny
Bronze Winner - Old Town Whiskey Bar at Bodega, Cork

Cocktail Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - The Tack Room at Adare Manor, Limerick
Silver Winner- Cask ,Cork
Bronze Winner - BAR 1661, Dublin
Sponsored by Beam Suntory

Craft Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Franciscan Well Bar & Brewery, Cork
Silver Winner- Lock 13 Brewpub, Kildare
Craft Bar of the Year Bronze Winner - Mother Macs Public House, Limerick
Sponsored by Hotel & Catering Review

Dingle Distillery Whiskey Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - The Shelbourne Bar, Cork
Silver Winner- Revolution Craft Beer & Whiskey Bar, Waterford
Bronze Winner - Park Hotel Kenmare, Kerry
Sponsored by Dingle Distillery

Dog Friendly Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Peadars Bar Moate, Westmeath
Silver Winner- Street 66, Dublin
Bronze Winner - Anti Social, Dublin

Gastro Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - JP Clarke's, Co.Clare
Silver Winner- Hamlets Street Food & Gastro Garden, Kinsale,Co.Cork
Bronze Winner - Oasis Bar & Restaurant, Donegal

Gin Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Gin Library at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, Antrim
Silver Winner- Andy’s Bar, Monaghan
Bronze Winner - Hyde Bar Galway, Galway

Hotel Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - The Blue Haven, Cork
Silver Winner- McKendry's Bar at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, Antrim
Bronze Winner - Harvey's Bar & Terrace, Donegal
Sponsored by The London Essence Co.

Innovative Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - BAR 1661, Dublin
Innovative Bar of the Year Silver Winner- Rare 1784, Cork
Innovative Bar of the Year Bronze Winner - Andy’s Bar, Monaghan
Sponsored by Moutai Ireland

Late Bar / Nightclub of the Year
Gold Winner - R.I.O.T Bar, Dublin
Silver Winner - The Front Door Pub, Galway
Bronze Winner - Left Bank, Kilkenny
Sponsored by Southern Comfort

Local Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Brady's of Shankill, Dublin
Silver Winner- An Poitin Stil, Dublin
Bronze Winner -Tom Sheridan's Bar & Restaurant Galway, Galway

Outside Space of the Year
Gold Winner - Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Limerick
Silver Winner- Panorama Bistro & Terrace, Cork
Bronze Winner - Lennan’s Yard, Dublin

Outstanding Customer Service Award
Gold Winner - The Black Forge Inn, Dublin
Silver Winner- Vintage Cocktail Club, Dublin
Bronze Winner - The Shelbourne Bar, Cork

Restaurant Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Silken Thomas, Kildare
Silver Winner- Railway Tavern, Donegal
Bronze Winner - Annie Mays, Dublin

Staff Personality of the Year Winner
Liam Flynn, The Black Forge Inn, Dublin
Sponsored by Paddy Whiskey

Tourist Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Durty Nellys Bar and Restaurant, Co.Clare
Silver Winner- Searsons of Baggot Street, Dublin
Bronze Winner - The Locke Bar, Limerick
Traditional Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Mother Macs Public House, Limerick
Silver Winner- The Stags Head, Dublin
Bronze Winner - John Kehoes, Dublin
Sponsored by Mad March Hare

Visitor Attraction of the Year
Gold Winner - The Power House Bar at Roe & Co Distillery, Dublin
Silver Winner- Franciscan Well Bar & Brewery, Cork
Bronze Winner - Stillgarden Distillery, Dublin
Sponsored by Excel Recruitment

Wine Bar of the Year
Gold Winner - Piglet Wine Bar, Dublin
Silver Winner- Vikkis Cafe & Wine Bar, Cork
Bronze Winner - House Limerick, Limerick

Bar of the Year Winner
BAR 1661 , Dublin
Sponsored by Licensing World