IRELAND’S ‘BEST BANANA’ RECIPE REVEALED

Aoife Flood

 IRELAND’S ‘BEST BANANA’ RECIPE REVEALED

 

Rathangan student overall winner in nationwide search to find best banana recipe

 

12-year old Aoife Flood, from Rathangan, has Ireland’s best banana recipe, having been chosen the overall winner in the recent nationwide search by banana importer Fyffes to find Ireland’s most imaginative meal-makers.

 

Leading the search, once again, was well-known television cook, Donal Skehan, whose previous collaborations with Fyffes led to the discovery of Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers and banana dessert makers.

 

This year, Skehan broadened his search to find the most delicious dish, from first to final course, savoury or sweet, in which a banana is the key ingredient. Describing the quest, Skehan called it “a challenge to mums, dads and the younger generation to create an appetising recipe that will demonstrate the versatility of bananas as an ingredient, whether in meals that are cooked, baked, boiled, blended and everything in between.”

 

Youngest of three girls, Aoife is beginning secondary school at Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin. Having first developed her passion for baking at the start of the pandemic, she has now reached the stage where she is baking cakes to order.

 

In creating her prize-winning ‘banoffee cupcakes’, Aoife combined a delicious mixture of caramel drizzle and fresh bananas, topped off with chocolate flakes.

 

Congratulating Aoife on her success which she says ‘demonstrates the obvious dedication and enthusiasm she puts into her culinary creations’, Fyffes head of marketing, Emma Hunt-Duffy went on the praise all those who entered the competition, adding “it was particularly pleasing to see the incredible levels of skill and creativity amongst those who took part, not least the younger, next generation of home baking enthusiasts”.

 

Other category winners in the competition are: 10-year old Savanna Pascoe, from Rathnew (Best Junior Baker under 12 years); 14-year old Rachel Hanley from Lanesborough (Best Junior Baker aged 13 – 17); Cynthia Wong from Monasterevin (Best Breakfast); 14-year old Elliott Stokes from Caherconlish (Best Savoury); Kiera Stewart from Dripsey (Best Dessert); Harini Sonpal from Churchtown (Best Non Bake) and Alline Isense Dalpiaz from Cahersiveen (Best Vegan).

 

Further details of each category winner and their winning recipes can be viewed on www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland/

press release

 

DRIPSEY MUM IS IRELAND’S ‘BEST DESSERT’ CATEGORY WINNER IN SEARCH TO FIND NATION’S BEST BANANA RECIPES

DRIPSEY MUM IS IRELAND’S ‘BEST DESSERT’ CATEGORY WINNER IN SEARCH TO FIND NATION'S BEST BANANA RECIPES

 

Kiera Stewart, from Dripsey, has been chosen a top winner in the recent nationwide search by banana importer Fyffes to find Ireland’s most imaginative meal-makers.

 

In topping the ‘best dessert’ category, Kiera fought off stiff competition from the large volume of competitors who responded to the invitation fronted by well-known television cook, Donal Skehan – whose previous collaborations with Fyffes led to the discovery of Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers and banana dessert makers.

 

This year, Skehan broadened his search to find the most delicious dish, from first to final course, savoury or sweet, in which a banana is the key ingredient. Describing the quest, Skehan called it “a challenge to mums, dads and the younger generation to create an appetising recipe that will demonstrate the versatility of bananas as an ingredient, whether in meals that are cooked, baked, boiled, blended and everything in between.”

 

Recently a mother for the first time, Kiera has developed her passion for baking by setting up her own home baking business from which she supplies local coffee shops with a full range of tasty delights.

 

In creating her prize-winning ‘banana cinnamon bundt cake’, Kiera packed her recipe with walnuts and finished it with a delicious cream cheese topping.

 

Congratulating Kiera on her success which she says ‘demonstrates the obvious dedication and enthusiasm she puts into her culinary creations’, Fyffes head of marketing, Emma Hunt-Duffy went on the praise all those who entered the competition, adding “it was particularly pleasing to see the incredible levels of skill and creativity amongst those who took part, not least the younger, next generation of home baking enthusiasts”.

 

Other category winners in the competition are: 10-year old Savanna Pascoe, from Rathnew (Best Junior Baker under 12 years); 14-year old Rachel Hanley from Lanesborough (Best Junior Baker aged 13 – 17); Cynthia Wong from Monasterevin (Best Breakfast); 14-year old Elliott Stokes from Caherconlish (Best Savoury); Harini Sonpal from Churchtown (Best Non Bake); Alline Isense Dalpiaz from Cahersiveen (Best Vegan) and 12-year old Aoife Flood, from Rathangan, (Overall Winner).

 

Further details of each category winner and their winning recipes can be viewed on www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland/

 

Press release

CORK COOKS INVITED TO JOIN ‘MOST IMAGINATIVE MEAL-MAKERS’ SEARCH

CORK COOKS INVITED TO JOIN ‘MOST IMAGINATIVE MEAL-MAKERS’ SEARCH 

 

In a competition open to all the family, home cooks throughout Cork City and beyond are being invited to join a search to find Ireland’s most imaginative meal-makers.

 

Leading the search is well-known television cook, Donal Skehan, supported by banana importers Fyffes, whose previous collaborations led to the discovery of Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers and banana dessert makers.

 

In the competition two years ago, Cobh mum, Gillian Carney was chosen as the nation’s overall ‘best banana bread baker’.

 

This year, Skehan has broadened his search to include any dish on the menu from first to final course, his invitation being to create the most delicious dish, savoury or sweet, in which a banana is the key ingredient. 

 

Winning creations, to be judged by Skehan, will see rewards presented to the overall winner and best in category entries - including junior entrants, best breakfast, savoury, dessert, no bake and vegan. Entries close August 4th. Details on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/fyffesireland/).

 press release

SKIBBEREEN'S CLAIRE ENJOYS ‘SWEET’ TASTE OF SUCCESS

 CLAIRE ENJOYS ‘SWEET’ TASTE OF SUCCESS

 

Skibbereen pupil winner in Fyffes search to find new banana dessert recipe

 

Fifteen-year old Skibbereen pupil, Claire Griffin is enjoying the ‘sweet’ taste of success having been chosen a top winner in the recent nationwide search by banana importer Fyffes to find a new mouth-watering dessert that has a banana as its key ingredient.

 

Responding to the invitation fronted by celebrity cook, Donal Skehan, Claire was amongst a large group of what the popular television presenter called ‘creative and inventive meal-makers’ who accepted his challenge to design a desert that could become a meal-topping choice on tables around Ireland and abroad.

 

A dedicated home economics pupil, currently studying for her junior certificate, Claire is joined at Skibbereen Community School by her mother Mary, who works as a special needs assistant, whilst father Brendan is a stonemason builder. The middle child of three, Claire’s older brother Daniel is studying for his leaving certificate and younger brother Michael is in second year. An avid baker since a young age, Claire has ambitions to be an dietitian when she leaves school. In addition to her passion for cooking and baking, Claire is a committed member of Skibbereen Rowing Club.

 

In creating her prize-winning entry, which she names ‘hazelnut and chocolate caramel cake’ and which won the ‘Best Junior Baker aged 13 – 17’ category, Claire combined a delicious fusion of banana, and caramel, all topped off with a mouth-watering, chocolate-flavour icing, grated chocolate and chopped hazelnuts.

 

Devised by Fyffes to mark the annual National Banana Day held recently, the invitation to ‘design a dessert’ was in-line with a similar event which took place last year when the challenge was to capture the national lockdown-relieving popularity of home cooking by asking Ireland’s bake-at-home families to come forward with new and innovative recipes for banana bread.

 

Complementing what he called ‘the exceptional level of skill’ revealed by all who took part in the Competition, Donal Skehan said: “the success that Claire has achieved reflects the dedication and devotion she puts into her baking and the obvious enjoyment she gets from it “.

 

Responding to the widespread level of interest that the event has generated amongst the public, Fyffes marketing manager, Emma Hunt-Duffy said: “what’s really exciting to see is the increasing number of young people now taking part in the competition; it’s fantastic that our baking challenge appeals to the next generation of cook-at-home enthusiasts”.   

 

“Also noticeable is the extent to which entrants are willing to experiment in finding new ingredients and taste combinations, especially when formulating recipes to suit those with particular taste preferences and those with allergies or other dietary needs,” Ms. Hunt-Duffy added.

 

Other category winners in the competition are: 11 year-old Clíodhna Mulkearns from Letterkenny (Best Junior Baker under 12 years); Roisin Gallagher from Drumcondra, Dublin (Best Ingredients); Brianna Turner from Ennistymon, Co. Clare (Best Gluten-Free); Alline Isense Dalpiaz from Killorglin, Co. Kerry (Best Styling) and Kirsten Meehan from Stoneybatter, Dublin (Best Vegan).

  

Details of each category winner and their winning recipes can be viewed on http://www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland/

  

FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S BEST BANANA DESSERT CREATION

FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S

 BEST BANANA DESSERT CREATION 

 

Banana importers Fyffes has issued an invitation to mums, dads and children throughout Cork and beyond to join in a search to find Ireland’s ‘Best Banana Dessert’ creation.

 

Fronting the search to find this year’s winning creations is Ireland’s well-known television cook, Donal Skehan whose programmes are a favourite amongst viewers and wannabe cooks. The popular presenter hopes to repeat the success of last year, when his task was to judge Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers – a quest that gave widespread recognition to the talents of Ireland’s overall winner, Cobh native Gillian Carney and another Cork winner, Heather O’Sullivan from Bantry who topped the ‘Best Gluten-Free’ category.

 

Donal enjoying the help from siblings Ellie (9) and Ryan (7) Connor.

Reward will go to the overall winner and best junior baker with recognition for originality in a number of other areas. Entries are open from 14th – 19th April, with winners announced on National Banana Day itself, 21st April, an initiative devised to support the national drive to encourage healthy eating, especially amongst young and growing children.

 

Details and entries online at Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland/ and Instagram –  http://www.instagram.com/fyffes_ireland/

using #FyffesGBBO21

COBH MUM HAS IRELAND’S ‘BEST BANANA BREAD’ RECIPE

COBH MUM HAS IRELAND’S

 ‘BEST BANANA BREAD’ RECIPE

It’s official. Gillian Carney from Cobh has Ireland’s best banana bread recipe, having been chosen overall winner in a recent nationwide competition to find the many ways to bake this favourite food – conducted by celebrity chef and RTE presenter, Donal Skehan with the support of banana distributors, Fyffes.

Gillian initially topped the category for ‘Best Ingredient’ and then fought off stiff competition from the large volume of entries received to be crowned the overall winner.

An avid baker from a young age, the Cork Mum-of-three works as a photographer and content creator and admits she always had an interest in food.  “I was baking non-stop with the boys throughout lockdown, whilst also starting my own vegetable patch too,” she says.

Hugely creative, Gillian filmed her prize-winning banana bread in a video that reveals her passion for baking which can be viewed on her Instagram page @gillybeangirl

Commenting on her ‘Nutella and coconut banana bread’ competition winning recipe, Gillian says: “I love banana bread but Nutella and coconut are two of my all-time favourite things, so I thought what better than to create a recipe that combines all three?”

Other category winners were: Cáit Flood from Swords (Best Junior Baker under 10 years); Isabelle Sexton from Roscommon Town (Best Junior Baker 10 years and over); Niamh Goodison from Wexford Town (Best Vegan); Heather O’Sullivan from Bantry (Best Gluten-Free) and Ciara Kilmartin from Ferbane, Offaly (Best Styling).

 

Gillian's winner!

Reflecting on what he called “the volume and quality” of entries received, Donal Skehan said: “Ireland has some exceedingly creative and talented home bakers. It was refreshing to see such imaginative ideas, ingredients and methods being shared, particularly amongst junior and dietary-restricted entrants”.

CORK FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S BEST BANANA BREAD RECIPE

CORK FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S BEST BANANA BREAD RECIPE  

 

Donal Skehan's happy with this one!

With home baking one of the most popular activities enjoyed by families in recent times – and banana bread one of the most sought-after recipes – it is not surprising that a call would go out inviting mums, dads and children throughout Cork and beyond to join in a search to find Ireland’s best banana bread recipe.

Behind it is Ireland’s well-known television chef, Donal Skehan whose programmes are a favourite amongst viewers and wannabe cooks. Backed by Fyffes, the purpose is to discover some of the hidden ingredients and secrets that make baking banana bread so popular.

Reward will go to the overall winner and best junior baker with recognition for originality in a number of other areas. Entries open from July 20th - 27th with results to be announced on July 31st. Details online at www.fyffes.com/news/article/fyffes-great-banana-bread-bake-off #FyffesGBBBO

Press release

FAMILIES INVITED TO ‘GO BANANAS’ IN CAUSE OF HEALTHY EATING

press release

CORK FAMILIES INVITED TO ‘GO BANANAS’

 IN CAUSE OF HEALTHY EATING

 

National Banana Day is Wednesday, April 15th. 

Families in Cork and elsewhere throughout Ireland are being invited to ‘go bananas’ all in the cause of healthy eating in a campaign to mark National Banana Day which falls on Wednesday, April 15th and extends throughout the week, according to its promoters, fruit importers Fyffes.

Now in its fourth year, the initiative is seen by the company as a reminder to shoppers to ‘think bananas’ when it comes to choosing a natural and nutritious convenience food or meal accompaniment whilst being a creative way of relieving ‘lockdown fatigue’ by giving support to the serious purpose of encouraging wholesome eating habits, especially amongst young and growing children.

Restricted to online activities due to current regulations, activities planned this year invite mums, dads and little ones to compete in a fun-filled series of ‘banana-bingo’ word challenges being hosted by them via their Facebook page. Running each day, Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 2pm, the competition will award cash prizes for the winners whose names will be announced at 5pm daily.

Also featuring on the page is a tasty range of banana-infused recipes that stay-at-home parents and children can enjoy making, including a selection of lip-licking deserts and savoury creations for which bananas are the principal ingredient.

Upbeat about the appeal the event will have for people of all ages, Fyffes marketing manager, Emma Hunt-Duffy said: “Besides raising awareness of the health benefits of bananas, our goal will be to highlight what a fun and versatile fruit it is”.

Press release