Expert chef, David Rice, boils down art of cooking seafood
He and a bevy of local belles assembled in the fine and funky little purpose-built school on the grounds of the stately home, as chef/tutor David Rice set about educating all and sundry in the art of cooking seafood.
Rice is as good a chef as he is a teacher: he worked for a number of years in Chapter One and also put down stints in Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s, River Café and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen; and he was head tutor at the Cook’s Academy Cookery School, Dublin for several years.
A most unassuming and easygoing character, Rice’s hands-on classes are as relaxing and enjoyable as they are informative. What’s more, students then get to eat all their creations and a stroll through the lovely grounds works wonders for the digestion.
Tuesday evenings are put aside for supper club classes where students learn how to master a particular dish and garnish before sitting down to consume same with wine and music. Upcoming classes in March include a curry club and ‘steak and three sauces’. ( www.kinsalegourmetacademy.com & www.ballinacurra.com )
The Menu was delighted to hear of Mairead and Richard Jacob’s, proprietors of Cork city’s wondrous Idaho Café, first foray into nocturnal dining, a collaboration (February 28) with his old chum, Waterford TV chef Eunice Power, who will prepare an evening of Lebanese sharing food in the candlelit café, ideally suited to parties of between six and eight people. www.idahocafe.ie
The fingers out in Griffin’s Garden Centre, Dripsey, are not only green but also extremely busy, organising Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat Demo & Dine (February 26), in their Spinning Wheel Restaurant, a steal at just 20 bucks a head and then next up is their third annual Charity Cycle (proceeds to Cork Simon and One Man’s Ethiopia) through the beautiful Lee Valley, with outings for all levels. A minimum €10 donation required with a scone and a cuppa at journey’s end. www.griffinsgardencentre.ie
Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 (Feb 23-March 8), is a programme of events taking place throughout Ireland with Dublin’s Culture Box becoming a Fairtrade HQ featuring educational talks, tasting workshops, coffee labs and film screenings.
Two Fairtrade Farmer representatives, Chief Adam Tampuri (Chair of Fairtrade Africa) and banana farmer Stephen Best (St Lucia) will speak at national and regional events. www.fairtrade.ie & www.facebook.com/FairtradeIreland & www.twitter.com/Fairtrade.ie
Follow The Menu’s instructions to the letter for a happy and fulfilling life. Seek out baker extraordinaire Mags Curtin’s Lemonies (either at her farmer’s market stall or at selected retail outlets), a simple tray-baked lemon cake with a pronounced taste of ‘more’.
Purchase aforementioned lemonies, every last one of them. Return home, lower blinds, make large pot of tea and consume lemonies. Tell no one. Take up hobby to pass the days until next opportunity to purchase lemonies comes around. Well, it’s working for The Menu! www.facebook.com/thepastryfork
Shanco Dubh Porter; 7.7% ABV, 330ml — €4.20
Stockists: Matsons Grange and Bandon, McHughs, Next Door Kimmage & Raheen, widely available in Carrickmacross and Co. Monaghan.
Brewed in the rolling drumlins of County Monaghan in Patrick Kavanagh country. Brehon Brewhouse have been making a name for themselves in the last few months and are worth watching. As well as this excellent porter they also make Brehon Blonde, Stony Grey IPA, Killanny Red and Ulster Black Stout — all worth trying.
Coffee, chocolate, and dark intense complex malt and caramel flavours. Despite the high ABV this manages to taste remarkably fresh and clean with a long lingering liquorice tinged finish. Highly recommended.
