Glorious Irish foods show more to artisan than niche markets

THE artisan food producers of Cork and Kerry were out in force at a food forum organised recently in Cork.

There were 70 exhibitors of foods, compared with 15 at a similar event in 2009. And there were lots of artisan products, but also more innovative products from small companies, all looking for listings in major supermarkets or contracts with hoteliers.

Among the products which caught the eye were cranberry roulade from Ardsallagh Goats’ cheese in Carrigtwohill; pork and plum terrine from On The Pig’s Back in The English Market; chocolate on a stick for making hot chocolate from Milseáin of Bandon; a range of fish-based ready meals from Blue Haven Foods in Kinsale; organic rope mussels from Kush Shellfish in Kenmare; compote from Clotilde’s in Glanworth; gluten free crispy bites from Utterly Nutty of Kenmare; falafels (a traditional Arab food based on chickpeas) from Kilcuan Foods of Courtmacsherry; cheese and pumpkin seed crisp bread from the Baking Emporium in Dunmanway; and Lough Hyne spirits from West Cork Distillers in Union Hall.