The Menu: Sandwich-making competition
The Menu can think of few finer ways to see out the month of Aug than attending The Feast of 29 Crops (Aug 25), a magnificent al fresco dining event on Caroline and Eddie Robinson’s farm, west of Cork city, that has all the potential to turn into the most exclusive family-friendly festival of the year. Curated by Jack Crotty aka RocketMan, the much-moustachioed purveyor of fine foodstuffs, the fabulous feast includes a lamb slow-roasted for 24 hours over a firepit and, of course, the aforementioned 29 crops, all grown chemical-free on the Robinson’s farm. They are also available any Saturday in the Coal Quay where Caroline is the lynchpin of the much-revived Cork city centre farmers’ market. In addition, music is provided by Bandon outfit, The Hard Ground, and overnight camping for those so inclined comes at no extra cost. At 50 bucks a skull, what could prove one of the food events of the year is undoubtedly one of the belly-related bargains of the year! www.facebook.com/feastof29crops or email: feastof29crops@gmail.com
Though never much of a petrolhead, favouring his trusty Neidín, The Menu nonetheless applauds the annual charitable endeavours of Cannonball, Europe’s largest organised road trip, featuring over 160 supercars and a whole host of celebrity drivers raising funds for children’s charities. The cavalcade will roar up the stately avenues of Ballymaloe House (Aug 23, 4.30-5.45pm) where the lovely Rachel Allen will judge a wacky sandwich-making competition as part of a Father Ted-style Lovely Girls competition, the victor being crowned Queen of Cannonball. (www.cannonball.ie) A barbecue in aid of the Hope Foundation (Aug 18, 2-4pm) may be a little more low-key but the Co Cork venue, Walton Court, Oysterhaven, is an equally idyllic location and with Christine of La Spoon, at the helm, fine fare should be guaranteed. www.waltoncourt.com
One of the reasons Knockranny House Hotel & Spa remains a favoured destination of The Menu’s is bar manager cum cocktail magician Owen Hughes, whose company is as charming as his mixtures are magical. So no surprise that he has just won the Finest Call Cocktail Mixology Competition, for his latest concoction, Price’s Punch. Meanwhile, the delightfully-appointed gastropub, Annie’s, in Cork’s Sunday’s Well, are offering a complimentary starter or dessert with every evening dinner til the end of Aug with a chance to win an entire meal by following @anniescork on twitter, tweeting about your experience at Annie’s. www.annies.ie
Not one item, this week but instead a brand new retail establishment retailing a plethora of the finest foodstuffs in the land all linked by their geographical provenance in West Cork. Mizen Market, in Schull features anything from local heroes such as Eithne McCarthy and her jams and baked goods to nationally-renowned giants such as Gubbeen and Glenilen, alongside a whole host of beautiful locally-grown produce. A list too long to catalogue is growing by the day.
