Blind tasting will leave you Sásta
The Menu’s little heart pitter-pattered at a most accelerated rate upon hearing of some seemingly saucy antics afoot involving blindfolds and food in Cork’s Fenn’s Quay restaurant. But organisers Bia Sásta have assured us the Blind Tasting (Apr 17) is all above board, an epicurean rather than erotic experience with blindfolded guests served a tasting menu, each course introduced after consumption, all for €30 per head (including glass of wine and tea and coffee).
Free-to-join Bia Sásta promotes food events in Cork, dedicated to bringing consumers and food producers together with farm walks, producer tours, foraging classes and a bread-making class beginning on Apr 19. Email biasasta@hotmail.com for bookings and details on all events. (biasasta.blogspot.com/?m=1)
A spell back The Menu passed a splendidly hectic day in the company of Darina Allen and a posse of anything but slow gourmet grannies and grandchildren, so is delighted to herald once again Slow Food Grandmother’s Day and a Festival of Forgotten Skills at Sandbrook House, in Co Carlow, on Sunday, Apr 22.
Celebrated by Slow Food Convivia all around the world, the event is dedicated to recording and reviving traditional skills of previous generations and a host of food producers, chefs and farmers will be there on the day.
Darina, president of Slow Food Ireland, opens the event and will give a demonstration of favourite near-forgotten culinary skills. The event takes place in the grounds of the gorgeous Sandbrook House, a period country home with some limited accommodation packages also available. (www.Sandbrook.ie & www.slowfoodireland.com)
As part of Cork World Book Fest, Hester Casey gives a free workshop at Cork City Library on Writing a Magical Cooking Blog at 3.30pm, Apr 21 (tickets http://corkcitylibraries.eventbrite.com/).
A stroll through James Scannell’s Orchards (in Knockaneamealagulla, Ovens/Killumney, Co Cork) on Sunday, 2-6pm, in aid of St Patrick’s Hospital/Marymount Hospice sounds like a fine way to support a great charity and pass a very pleasant afternoon, with admission by donation. Contact Valerie Cogan 021-4353058 for further details.
The Menu’s eternal quest for the perfect macaroon near ended on first nibble of Treat Petite’s Orange Macaroon (containing tonka bean, milk chocolate, vanilla and Satsuma), an exquisite feather-light macaroon with stunning tonka bean flavour tying a bow on the whole thing. Treat Petite (Mahon Point Farmer’s Market and selected retail outlets) do a fine confectionery line including delightful decorated chocolate-covered cakes (‘Cakepops’) on a stick to charm kids of all ages, but that Orange Macaroon … oh dear. (https://www.facebook.com/treatpetite).
