Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Mushroom Kings

The King Oyster, Eryngii,  made his debut at the Mahon Point Farmers Market on Thursday. “The crème de la crème of oyster mushrooms,” enthused Lucy, one of partners of market newcomers Ballyhoura Mountain Mushrooms.

Lucy and Mark have been making waves over the past few months, starting off with their range of mushrooms, including oysters and shiitakes. Gradually they have added to their products. They make a terrific mushroom soup and recently unveiled the sensational Marinated Oysters.

That has now been re-packaged and has been joined in the stall by the Marinated Shiitake. Both are winners and chefs have been ordering them up. No doubt the King Oyster will also be popular.

Wine
Seems to be the season for wine events. There is an Alsace Wine Dinner scheduled on May 16th for L’Ecrivain Restaurant, in conjunction with Tindal Wines. The evening of fine wines and culinary delights will be hosted by Severine Beydon-Schlumberger and will consist of a 7 course Tasting menu, expertly constructed by renowned chef Derry Clarke, and combined with the highly acclaimed wines of Domaine Schlumberger. The price for this wonderful evening is €100 per person (exclusive of service charge @12.5%). As places will be limited it is recommended to reserve A.S.A.P. (01) 6611919.

Also on the 16th, as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations for Star Anise, Sami Ghosn of the famous Lebanese winery Massaya will host a wine dinner. More details here.

On the following evening, the 17th, Ballymaloe will host the Riesling Revolution. Three of the top Riesling producers will be together on stage at the Grain Store. The protagonists are Tim Adams, Clare Valley, South Australia, Carl Ehrhard, Rheingau, Germany and, fresh from her Dublin date, Séverine Schlumberger, Domaine Schlumberger, Alsace, France and the event will be moderated by John Wilson, wine writer, The Irish Times.  More details here.

Australia’s Chris Pfeiffer is in Ireland this week for a series of tastings. He’ll be showing his full range in Karwig Wines of Carrigaline next Saturday between 11.00am and 6.00pm and other venues include the Cliff House Hotel (Ardmore) on May 17th

Also in Waterford, the Tannery in Dungarvan are delighted to be holding another Rhône Wine Dinner on May 4th. There are still some limited places left; to enquire about availability please call the Tannery on 058 45420 and for more info click here. (Just heard from the Wine Store that " but unfortunately we're having to postpone the 4th..." .)

On May 16th O’Brien’s Chop House in Lismore are hosting a wine dinner with Domaine de la Sarabande and Simon Tyrrell of the Wine Store. You can call O’Brien’s on 058 53810 for more or have a look at their website here.

To see more details on the above plus read the Wine Store’s latest newsletter, click here

 Before all that, California Wine returns to Jacobs on the Mall in Cork next Monday, the 30th. A trade show in the afternoon will be followed by public session, in association with Food and Wine Magazine, between 6.00 and 7.30pm.

Shorts

Don’t forget the cook-off for the Chef du Jour title takes place in Fenn’s Quay next Sunday evening. Check if they’ve a place left for you at 4279527.

Did you ever try Una Poynton’s Pickled Cucumber at the Mahon Point Farmers Market? It is a little sweeter than most of the others. Besides, she cuts it a little thicker meaning you can a real tasty crunch when you include it in salads and so on. Worth a try.

Truly Irish Country Foods, the farmer owned company that specialise in rashers and sausages, have brought out a new “funny” short video.

Tempting looking recipe here for Beef and Broccoli  Sheila Kiely also has a similar recipe in her new book called Gimme the Recipe.