Amuse Bouche

The entrance to the restaurant is lined with cages of snakes, cats and tortoises. A man takes a skinned dog off his bicycle rack and delivers it to the kitchen. The fish and prawns jumping in enamel basins splash water onto the stone floor and remind one the sea is not far away.

There really is nothing Guangzhou people do not eat. Tonight I have tasted snake, cat, turtle and raw fish.

From Red Dust by Ma Jian

Sun Shines on Midleton Food Festival

Midleton Food Festival

Top centre: Birthday boy Barrie Tyner at the Farmers Market

and, right, Mella and her award winning Fudge at the Festival

Enjoyed my ramble through the busy Midleton Food Festival yesterday morning. We had a couple of bags with us but were soon presented with another by the Festival folks as we walked down the main street.

Lots of activity. There was a small craft fair in one side street, a photo exhibition in another. Perhaps the best off-street atmosphere was at Sage Restaurant where their courtyard saw salads being served nonstop, punters relaxing in the sun on giant bean-bags and a live band in action. “Like a mini Electric picnic,” quipped Head Chef Kevin Aherne.

Back then to the big picnic on the street. Lots of hot food available, including kangaroo steaks. On the Pig's Back were busy as was Ballymaloe Relish and they were lining up to sample Mella’s gorgeous fudge. Seymours gorgeous biscuits were also in demand and I helped myself to a few packets of the Cheese Biscuits.

Day’s of Whitegate had a big stand and a big crowd. Ballycotton Seafood were also busy; picked up some fresh John Dory there and also a bunch of mackerel. Big rings of Clonakilty black pudding were being cooked in huge batches and sold on the spot. Close by, BBQ Joe’s were ready for action.

Some of the local restaurants, including Pizzeria San Marco, joined in the spirit of the day and the pizza slices were in demand. There is only so much food you can eat on a walk-through like this and I was more than happy with a tender steak sandwich from local butcher Jim Crowley, unbelievably tender!

Lots of hot food about but not too many producers in the Festival itself. To find them in numbers, you had to go to the usual Saturday morning market, and an excellent one it is, at the Cork side of the town. I’ve often thought that these producers, in Midleton every Saturday of the year, should be given pride of place on the main street on Festival day. I think it would add a solid backbone to the whole experience.

This band of musicians get attention!

Buffalo Tasting at The Mills Inn

From tongue to tail in Ballyvourney
The Buffalo Tasting Evening in The Mills Inn.


"Failte roimh gach einne chuig an Dinnear Speisialta. Ta suil againn go mbainsidh sibh taithneamh as an ocaid seo."

These were the words of greeting as we arrived at the Mills Inn in Ballyvourney for the first ever tasting dinner for the local Toons Bridge buffalo meat. We certainly enjoyed the occasion which started with Don O’Leary of the Mills introducing us to the men behind the buffalo venture, Toby Simmons (The Real Olive Company) and Johnny Lynch (farmer).

It all started over a drink just three years ago. There was some trepidation about the buffalo, that the Irish wouldn't take to them. But, as Toby said last night, everybody is fascinated by the buffalo. And that was underlined when the farm was the subject of TG4 documentary Cogar: Buabhaill ar na Bánta (Where the Buffaloes Roam).

Don O'Leary said the joint venture by the two local men has been an inspiration to people in the area and has been an eye-opener. It could lead to a few more entrepreneurs starting up and indeed there is one venture currently brewing, involving local skill and ingredients, that may well be up and running by Christmas. We’ll keep you posted!

The starter plate: Poached Buffalo Tongue with its own mousse and Cauliflower Pickle; Buffalo Mozzarella with Pesto and Sun Blushed Tomato; Carpaccio of Buffalo with Rocket Salad, Buffalo Cheese and White Truffle Oil.

Buffalo Broth with Autumn root vegetable and a Tailmeat Wanton (served with Mills Brown Bread and Buffalo Cream Butter).

Pan Roasted Aged Dry Buffalo Sirloin with a Potato Gratin and a Buffalo Milk Horseradish and Mixed Pepper Ice Cream, Caramelised Onion Puree and Roast Garlic Jus; Fillet of Buffalo and Wild Mushroom Cottage pie with a Colcannon Kale.

Toons Bridge Buffalo Ricotta with local Ballyvourney Honey on a Sweet Tuille;

Buffalo Cream and Blackberry Tiramisu.

As I said at the start, Buffalo from tongue to tail. With Buffalo in every course, this meal ran the risk of being boring! But it was far from that and here great credit must go to the Mills chefs, Kevin Purcell (Head) and Alan Rossborough, who put a lot of work and thought into the menu.

But what did the meat taste like? Unless you were expecting something exotic, you would not have been disappointed. After all, the Buffalo is a bovine, as is your normal cow. The main course, particularly the Sirloin, perhaps provided the clearest tasting and I must say it was very pleasing indeed. Some wines are described as easy drinking. Well, this was easy eating. Delighted with it, taste and texture.

Much depends of course on how any meat is handled. This was killed about five weeks back and was beautiful and tender. Ballincollig's Christoir O'Crualaoi was the butcher and I met him at the meal. He was very happy with the outcome and aptly described the meat as a mild beef with hints of lamb. In any event, it is a fine meat that can easily find a place on the Irish plate and a welcome on the palate.

Everyone had their own favourite course. I enjoyed them all. The broth though was a highlight also, really tasty and warming.

Many of you by now know and appreciate the Mozzarella coming from Toons Bridge. I hadn’t tasted the Ricotta before but, combined with a dash or two of the local honey, it turned out to be a gorgeous surprise as indeed did that whiter than white sliced butter, once I recognized it as such. Thought it was a cheese at first. 

It was that kind of night. A night to learn and explore. Hope you get the chance soon. Indeed, if you are in the Cork area on Sunday why not pop in to the Mills Inn at lunchtime where you’ll find Buffalo on the menu!

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

One of the Fenns Quay Puntsavers.
One old punt or two euro!

Food Champs Wanted

Fáilte Ireland is seeking nominations for emerging food champions with a resounding passion and belief in Irish food, and a commitment and drive to actively influence and shape the future of Irish cuisine and food tourism in their region.

12 nominees will be selected, representing a mixed group of owner/managers of food service businesses and members of the wider food tourism community, who are committed to playing a role in developing Ireland’s food tourism proposition and reputation More here.

Midleton Food & Drink Festival

From 10 am on Saturday morning till 5pm The Midleton Food and Drink Festival will be on the Streets, with over 60 food stalls, craft maker demonstrations, Craft exhibition, The Farmers Market, children's entertainment in the Library and on the streets, Fashion shows. Come to Midleton for a great day out for all the family.

Slow Food Tours at Waterford Harvest Festival

Ireland’s biggest food festival – ‘Harvest’ which takes place in Waterford from September 10 to 16 has announced a series of Slow Food Tours to take place throughout the festival week.

The first Slow Food Tour of the Festival takes place on September 10 and will visit a prize winning dairy farm at milking time to view the process in action and will then meet John Flahavan at the sixth generation miller’s facility at Flahavan’s Porridge in Kilmacthomas.

The final stop is an opportunity to meet Grace Kiersey and take a tour of her vegetable garden also near Kilmacthomas, County Waterford. For the rest of the programme, click here

Cornstore Mussels!

The September Mussel Festival has just kicked off in both Limerick and Cork Restaurants! Details.

White Horse Food, Beer and Music Fest!

The annual White Horse festival kicks off next week. Thursday Sept 13th is Meet The Brewer In Assoc. with The Franciscan Well Brewery. It includes a welcome beer, a 3 course tasting menu with beer pairings, and a brewing talk from Fran, the Well Head Brewer. Tickets €15 from www.whitehorse.ie or from the bar.
Full programme


Fenn’s Quay Top Taster Offers

Fenn’s Quay Restaurant is pleased to present a new PuntSaver selection in addition to their lunch and dinner menus. Kate Lawlor, who is known as a chef with a passion for local ingredients, has created an array of new scrumptious items available for just €2 each.

Each day, she now offers several items on the €2 ‘PuntSaver’ taster menu based on what is available fresh from the local producers. Taster items include: Rosscarbery white pudding & shellfish de la mer scallops, Goatsbridge trout caviar, Ardsallagh goats cheese & crispy wild rock samphire, or Ballyhoura mushrooms with wild sea samphire.

Dee’s Quinoa Pots

Dee's is about to launch 3 New Food-to-Go Quinoa Pots. Quinoa? Dee tells me that quinoa is a fantastic, naturally gluten-free grain and is a complete protein so you get all the essential amino acids your body needs, not to mention packed full of vitamins and minerals. Read all about it and the new pots here

Drinks

Ballymaloe

Sunday 16th September, 4.30pm

‘A New Zealand Wine Adventure in Ballymaloe’

With New Zealand winemakers Larry McKenna, Escarpment Wines, Martinborough & John Hancock, Trinity Hill Wines, Hawkes Bay.

€15 (includes wine presentation and tasting)


The Restaurant at Donnybrook Fair  have their October Wine Dinner taking place on the 31st where they will welcome Dr John Forrest from Forrest winery in New Zealand as host..

Shorts

‏Dates for your diary. Sept 22nd and 23rd. Ciderfest (and apple fest) at The Apple Farm.

Cork newest restaurant. Check out the menu here

Bradley’s Off Licence's new website:

Friday fiver at Griffin’s Garden Restaurant in Dripsey! Where would you like to begin your weekend? Sitting outside looking at the meandering river and eating a full gourmet lunch for just five Euros. Well Griffins can guarantee that (except the sunshine but a high probability it will be sunny) Lunch will be served from 12:30 till 3:30.

Home on the Range. Sierra Nevada.

Home on the Range. Sierra Nevada.

Summerfest Crisp Summer Lager 2012, 5%
Pilsner style for warm days, just like this week! This lager is crisp, refreshing, friendly, well balanced with a dry finish.

Kellerweis Hefeweizen, 4.8%
Hazy golden colour, good flavours with clove coming through. Well made, tasty.  And very smooth. Note that it has special pouring instructions.

Pale Ale, 5.6%
This multi medal winner is their flagship beer. It has a deep amber colour and is full bodied. The purity of the ingredients is stressed and it is well balanced, flavoursome and tasty.


Torpedo Extra IPA, 7.2%
This is the big one, big on flavour, big on hops, big on bitterness and on abv. Not for beginners! It has the highest bitterness of the four at 65!

Summary
 My preferences here are for the two lightweights, the Summerfest and the Kellerweis.




Wisdom Winner
S-Ale-vation though is found much closer to home in a bottle of Wisdom Ale (by Elbow Lane). It has an abv of 4.5% and, like the Nevada range,  is available from Bradley's, North Main Street.

Took a sip of the dark amber liquid and found it more rounded than many others, no extremes of flavour, no overload. It has a medium body with toasted malt (even chocolately)  flavours. Brewed to go well with food or as a stand alone pint, I reckon they've succeeded!

My second tasting and my opinion that this is the ale for me is reinforced. The range of Sierra Nevada beers are available at Bradley's, North Main Street as is the Wisdom Ale. Check out their new website here.

Reinforcements for Celtic Cook-off Champ!

Ondine's Roy Brett makes welcome return to Taste of West Cork!

2011 Celtic Cook Off winner, Roy Brett of Ondine Restaurant in Edinburgh, is bringing three of his brigade with him to the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen to provide “A Taste of Ondine” on Tuesday 11 September. Roy and his team will work with Chef Aidan O’Driscoll and the West Cork Hotel team to cook a Scottish themed meal using the very best of West Cork produce.

Roy loved his visit to the A Taste of West Cork Festival so much last year that he discussed the possibility of coming back with Neil Grant, West Cork Hotel General Manager, as soon as he returned to Scotland. “Roy has been an unbelievable ambassador for West Cork and its incredible food produce since his visit a year ago,” explains Neil. “Roy featured Rosscarbery Recipe’s White and Black puddings, Sally Barnes Smoked Salmon and he even started baking his own Soda Bread after his visit. I understand he knocked back numerous offers to attend various events this year in favour of attending this year’s food festival, so we are thrilled to have him.”

Roy will be a busy man. Not only will he be cooking a meal at the West Cork Hotel, he is also judging for both the Food Festival’s Schools’ Cookery Competition and this year’s Celtic Cook Off event. Roy was blown away by the quality of cooking on show at last year’s Schools’ Competition and vowed to return. “If you asked a kid in Scotland where there food came from they would say ‘Tesco,’” was Roy’s quip on seeing the young chefs talk about the provenance of their food being cooked last year!

It will be fascinating to see Roy judge the Celtic Cook Off as he is very familiar with Tony Singh of Scotland as well as Jack Stein and Stephane Delourme who are coming from the Rick Stein Company and representing Cornwall and Brittany respectively. “I can’t wait to put them under a little bit of pressure,” says Roy. We can’t wait either!!

Roy’s Taste of Ondine will be a six course tasting menu at €40 per person and will be served at 7:30 PM on Tuesday 11 September. Roy may even drag a few of the Celtic Cook Off competitors into the kitchen to support him!

The produce for this Celtic Feast is kindly sponsored by artisan food producer members of West Cork Food. As Neil Grant says, “We are lucky to have such a wealth of great produce in this region. The producers have such passion and their passion combined with Roy’s artistry….wow. We are in for a great night!”

Bookings can be made through the West Cork Hotel reception. +00 353 (0)28 21277

Txakoli, the Basque Wine

Missed!

4 weeks in the Basque Country

Txakoli, the Basque Wine

Way to do it!

Aitako Txakolina 2010, Getariako (Spain), 11.5%



Txakoli (or Chacolí in Spanish) is a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine with high acidity and low alcohol. It is the wine of the Basque Country (Euskadi) which has provinces on each side of the French-Spanish border on the Atlantic coast.

Getariko (Getaria) is a lovely coastal town between San Sebastian and Bilbao and centre of one of the major producing areas. The major grape used in this bottle is Hondarribi Zuri.

The wine, as far as I know, is not exported to Ireland but apparently has strong sales in the USA where Basque cuisine is highly regarded and where the lower alcohol levels are attractive.

This one is somewhat more advanced, more complex, than your ordinary Txakoli (meant to be poured and drunk quickly). The bubbles and acidity are there but the flavours don’t vanish after the initial pouring, though the “head” does.

Properly poured!

The Aitako vineyard say they have made a careful selection, have harvested at the optimum time and have fermented at low temperatures for a more intense aroma. The wine has also benefited from being raised on its own lees as this “gives volume, smoothness and balance in the mouth.”

While this bottle, bought in a wine shop in the main street in Getaria, a town I visited three times during a recent holiday, is undoubtedly the best I’ve tasted, I will happily say that I also enjoyed more modest efforts.

As a visitor, I was delighted to be able to try out this unfamiliar wine in the local restaurants – while it is produced in Spain, it is drunk on both sides of the border.

One of the unusual elements is that it is poured from a height, from about two feet above the glass, usually a sturdy tumbler, the intent being to increase the bubbles and release the flavours. It sure added to the novelty and the fun. Still does, especially if you try it yourself!

Food & Drink Spotting Updates!

Extra night for the Tom Crean Dinner at Annie's

Emma from Annie's Gastro-Pub has been in touch to say that their multi-course Tom Crean Lager Dinner on the 22nd of this month has been practically sold out. As a result, they will also hold the event on the 21st.

We asked Emma about the start time of 18.35, (6.35pm). "This is due to the association with the Dingle Brewing Company and Tom Crean's lager to these numbers. Tom Crean undertook an 18 hour trek over 35 miles to save two of his companions during the Terra Nova expedition."

After the meal, Annie's will hosts the trad artists who are regular performers in the wonderful Corner House to perform for diners, "to add to the evening's experience". One of the musicians is Pat (Herring) Ahern, a very highly regarded guitarist, who happens to be father of Mark, one the chefs at Annie's! Should be a good one.

To book, ring Annie's at 021 4398384.

St Tola Cheese

Ballymaloe Wine Event 
We've also heard from Ballymaloe's Colm McCan: "We have our line-up of 'Clare' producers now fully confirmed for the upcoming event at Ballymaloe 'Its a long way from Clare to here - A taste of Clare, in East Cork', at Ballymaloe, Sunday 9th September, 6.00pm.

- winemaker, Dave Palmer, Skillogalee Wines, Clare Valley, South Australia,
- Birgitta Curtin, Burren Smokehouse
-Siobhán Ni Ghairbhith, St.Tola Goats Cheese."

€18 (includes wine presentation & tasting, and food presentation’s & tasting).

Further information, and bookings, please contact Ballymaloe House by e-mail colm@ballymaloe.ie or by telephone:             00 353 (0) 21 4652531    

Food and Drink Spotting

Food and Drink Spotting

Ballymaloe Wine Events

Skillogalee

Ballymaloe’s Colm McCan tells me they have some interesting wine events coming up. “The next one is on Sunday 9th September - It’s a long way from Clare to here - with Dave Palmer, of Skillogalee, returning to Ballymaloe (we are just doing a tasting this time) and he will be joined by some Co. Clare food producers - a bit like what we did with the Trimbach/Gubbeen/Cashel Blue event - I am also hoping that the nice people from St Tola will also be able to join us, so that should be a good one. Starts at 6.00pm.”

Sunday 16th September, 4.30pm
‘A New Zealand Wine Adventure in Ballymaloe’
With New Zealand winemakers Larry McKenna, Escarpment Wines, Martinborough & John Hancock, Trinity Hill Wines, Hawkes Bay.
€15 (includes wine presentation and tasting)

Thursday 27th September
‘A Margaret River wine region experience in East Cork’
Surfing on Shanagarry Strand, cricket experience on the lawn at Ballymaloe with the East Cork Cricket Club, followed by wine tasting with Australian winemaker, David Hohnen & Ted Berner’s Wildside ‘fire-cooking’ Harvest Supper, and music.€35 (includes surfing, and cricket experience, wine presentation & wine tasting, and Harvest Supper)

Thursday, 25th, October 7pm
Dry Sherry with Oscar Bayo, Bodegas Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Spain
Matching food and different styles of Sherry. Re-discover Sherry, and enjoy a selection of Sherry with matching nibbles specially prepared by Chef Scott Walsh and Ted Berner €18 (includes presentation, tasting & matching nibbles)

Thursday 8th November, 7pm
An Italian evening - wines of Tuscany & New Season’s Olive Oil
‘New Seasons Tuscan Olive Oil’ launch, with the owners of some of Tuscany’s iconic Olive Oil & Wine Estates, including Bea Contini Bonacossi, from Capezzana, Carmignano; Federico Giuntini, Selvapiana, Rufina; Giovanni Manetti, Fontodi and David Gleave MW of Liberty Wines.€24 (includes new seasons Olive Oil presentation & tasting; Tuscan wine presentation & tasting and nibbles)
website http://www.ballymaloe.ie/things-to-do/wine-events

More wine

L’Atitude 51 have arranged four successive classes designed to learn about wine in a fun and lively way. Start Sept 22nd. Info on latitude51.ie Workshop / Course Detail.

Donnybrook Fair have announced details of their new 8 week Wine Appreciation Course starting on the 20th of September. This course will teach all about the different grape varieties, countries of origin and the process of wine making. This course is ideal for people who have a basic understanding of wine and who would like to expand their knowledge. Extra info.

Curious Wines tell me me they have a terrific evening this Friday. “We’re delighted to welcome Francesco Riccardi of Borgo Magredo for the first of our autumn schedule of events and tastings, as part of the newly launched Curious Wine Club.

Francesco will be presenting the Borgo Magredo range for sampling as part of an Italian night in the Bowery, Cork. The Bowery’s rooftop will be the venue from 5.00pm to 9.00pm; entry along with wine samples and nibbles is completely free.”

Food

Bord Bia have just announced that National Organic Week 2012 takes place from 10th-16th September and will celebrate and promote Ireland’s organic sector. Organic producers and retailers and farmers markets nationwide will host events including organic farm walks, cookery demonstrations, BBQs, harvest feasts, complimentary in store tastings and talks – keep an eye out here for further updates!

Amicus Restaurant are currently looking for staff for their town restaurant. “We need energetic, experienced (minimum 2 years), hard-working people to fill both Bar and Floor positions. Please email your CV to paulstreet@amicusrestaurant.ie or just drop it into the restaurant on Paul Street!”

Shorts

‏Cornstore’s Saturday Night Party series started last weekend. Details here

Cornstore is a busy place these days as they also have a charity event coming up on September 13th. It is titled Women, Wine and Shoes. Check it out here

.
Lunchbox wonders via Allrecipes UK Ireland 

Green Tea Kit Kat??

Chicken feet..noodle soup 

Amuse Bouche

“I first met Robert Mondavi in early 1979, when he was already 63 years old. He was in the tasting room of his beautiful winery at Oakville, California, and he was sampling. Every morning he sampled 150 wines and every afternoon he sampled another 150. Even though he spat the whole lot out after swilling it round his mouth….there must have been enough alcohol absorbed by his body over the two sessions to send a lesser man reeling.” From Life’s Too Short to Drink Bad Wine by Simon Hoggart

West Cork Garlic

West Cork Garlic


Great to meet up with Axel and Marye Miret, the people who run West Cork Garlic, at their stall in the Kinsale Farmers Market last Wednesday. They were excited at a recent successful crop but even more excited about next year when thousands and thousands of bulbs will be planted

While they are relatively new to the commercial side of garlic growing, they have for many years been growing garlic successfully in their kitchen garden and soon became as the “Garlic People”. Now their garlic is used in some restaurants and for sale in shops such as URRU in Bandon and in On The Pig’s Back in Douglas. They also sell some handy garlic tools at their market stall and, if you want to sample the garlic itself  in the city centre, check it out at Bradley’s, North Main Street, where I first came across it last Tuesday.

Not alone do they sell garlic but they can also sell you the material to grow your own and are quite happy to dispense advice on how to get the best out if it. “We will be more than happy to share our experience and passion and provide you with all you need to for a successful home crop.”

You can meet them all over West Cork at the Markets: Kinsale (Wednesday), Dunmanway (Thursday), Clonakilty (Friday), Skibbereen (Saturday) and Enniskeane (one Saturday per month). You may also like to look at their website.

If you want to get sowing yourself, you don’t have that much time. Well, don’t wait until the spring as most garlic is planted in late autumn and early winter, some varieties as early as September!

So let us wish the enterprising couple all the best with their big planting next season. They are doing us all a favour. “West Cork Garlic, a welcome home-grown alternative to the Chinese garlic flooding the country,” according to Darina Allen. Import substitution is the name of the game here and we can all play a part, by buying from the Mirets or by planting up a patch in the back garden.

Murphy’s Little Big Night Out - in the afternoon!

Murphy’s Little Big Night Out

in the afternoon! 

Clockwise from top left: chef Larry McGrath, chef Richard Corrigan and his stew, Volcano pizza, trad in session, Corrigan's demo and Baldwin's Ice Cream.

Chef Richard Corrigan was the star as the Murphy’s series of Little Big Nights Out morphed to an afternoon of food and music at the old Beamish and Crawford Brewery in South Main Street.

Dubliner Richard, self styled as the “real” Richard Corrigan, took to the demo stage to show what he could do with sea bass and that demo, with Barry Tyner acting as MC, drew the audience but it was his Irish Stew at the Bogeda stall that drew the lines of hungry punters.

He is more into teaching nowadays and he told me his message to all young chefs is to get good fresh ingredients and then let the different elements, meat, fish, veg, even the humble potato, speak for themselves. No point in getting top notch ingredients and then drowning them in overpowering sauces or smothering their vital signs in marinades. The simple stew, with a well judged stout sauce (Murphy’s of course), illustrated his point.

Chef Larry McGrath was also in lively form on Sunday afternoon. You’ll be seeing him soon at the Olde Bakery Market on Wellington Road. He expects to be there on Friday nights with a brand new sushi stall.

Sober Lane was busy and had big queues lining up for their very tasty Chicken Goujons. Volcano Pizza is always a popular stall at these events, and at markets all over the city and county and, after enjoying a slice of their Pepperoni pizza, I now know why!

Starting out with a free pint of Murphy’s Stout for everyone in the audience, it turned out to be quite an enjoyable afternoon, with quite a lot of visitors there, including a couple from the south of Spain at “our” table. In another nearby marquee, a lively day’s trad music, curated by the renowned De Barra’s Folk Club of Clonakilty, unfolded as Murphy’s Bia, Ceoil agus Craic lived up to its billing.

Italian Start to Saturday Food Trail

Saturday Food Trail in Cork

Princes Street

Tasty

An old favourite

A new favourite from Tom's Bakery

Venison lunch

Started off last Saturday’s Food Trail in the city with a visit to a church, of all places. The Unitarian Church in Prince’s Street, Cork’s oldest church, was playing host to the Irlanda Italiana Cultural Association.

The association is composed of Italian friends who enjoy living here and are willing to share their culture. There has already been a series of events and Saturday’s was mainly about food and wine.

Restaurants such as Ballincollig’s Bacco and Douglas Cafe Moroni’s were represented. Moroni's were selling some gorgeous sauces. There were tasters of salamis and you could buy slices of tarts and much more.

There too you could buy Fabio Cavallini’s Traditional Balsamic Vinegars of Modena. Some were very old and very expensive and he also had a walnut liquor. You could even book a Italian chef to come to your home and serve up an authentic Italian meal!

Not surprisingly, the Boot (based on Forge Hill) had a big display and I couldn’t resist buying a pack of their Amaretto biscuits, also some salami. Some tempting wines were also on display, including Montepulciano and also Vermentino di Sardegna. Will have to call out to Forge Hill to see more of their 850 products.

Next food stop was the Coal Quay Market and a call to Tom’s Bakery stall. Usually go for the Country Baguette but this time picked a quarter of his huge Country Loaf and enjoyed it in a big way over the weekend.

There was also a little market in Paul Street in front of KT Max and here I grabbed a bite of lunch, this in the shape of a hot dog (€4.00), one with a Venison sausage from the Crough Farm stall.