Stay Tuned: Food Lover's Update

Silver is the new Gold

Frank Krawczyk's West Cork pancetta grabbed a silver medal at the Great Taste Awards in London, and all we have to say is: are the judges crazy? For if ever there was a gold medal product, it is Frank's unimaginably brilliant pancetta, which has elements of a speck style and elements of an Italian pancetta, but is better than both. It's difficult to get hold of, but cooks and restaurateurs who want a magical usp can contact Frank at: frank@oceanfree.net

Fats Domino, anyone?

Hundreds of folk turned up to celebrate the launch of the East Cork Convivium of Slow Food, and along with the brilliant lunch prepared under the direction of Clodagh McKenna and a severely-overworked Darina Allen and her team from the Ballymaloe school, we particularly liked the gorgeous Derryvilla Farm Blueberry Tonic which was exhibited at the market. This is just what a tonic should be: bright and arresting in flavour, you feel it is doing you a power of good as you gulp it, and kids love it. The newly-packaged range of Derryvilla foods, now made by John and Belinda Seeger, are spiffingly handsome, and just watch these foods make big waves. www.derryvillablueberries.com

Rich Roast

David McKiernan's Java Republic coffee company goes from strength to strength, having netted 3 gold and 3 bronze medals at the Great Taste Awards. If you want to know how they do it, just grab a cup of that deep roasted Cactus Espresso, where the beans are sourced from a farm in Brazil. This is a sensationally fine brew, packed with live mineral notes, the slow roasting extracting every toasty delight from the bean. Java also grabbed a first gold for a FairTrade coffee - Rio Zunni - and their exotic Tarrazu Lingtong also struck gold. Check them out on: www.javarepublic.com

Stop Press! -Toques have just sent details of their annual mushroom hunt - sounds like fun!

The Euro-Toques Mushroom Hunt is a FUN DAY OUT for the young and the not so young!

Sunday 13th October 2002:
1.00 p.m. Meet in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna, Co. Galway for tea/coffee and savouries. (A map will be provided for all who attend).

1.45 p.m. Group are escorted across the road to the 1, 500 Earl of Clanricarde Estate, where our guide Louis Smith will give instructions as to the various fungi to be found and guide everyone in the right direction Half way through the tour, we will stop for a quick picnic and a “hot toddy” – weather permitting.

4.30 p.m. Return to Shannon Oaks Hotel to refresh and relax.

6.30 p.m. Drinks Reception and 3 course dinner in the dining room in the Shannon Oaks Hotel.

The cost for the day to include tea/coffee, the mushroom hunt, picnic and dinner is €45.00 per person.

A special menu is available for children under 12 years of age at a cost of €20.00.

For those wishing to stay overnight, Bed & Breakfast will be available in the Shannon Oaks for €52.00 per person sharing for a Double Room and €77.00 for a single room.

If you are interested in attending, please ring Brid Banville on 01-6779995 or 087-9877088 to place your booking, or to source additional information.

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