The Menu: Camera-friendly food
A photo of your Sunday morning fry-up is capable of being vicariously enjoyed by someone on the other side of the globe nano-seconds before you wolf the whole lot down.
Obviously, nothing will ever surpass the sublime pleasures of actual consumption, but for those beginner photographers wishing to learn more of craft and skills, there is no finer opportunity than the latest outing for the indefatigable Imen ‘Modern Farmette’ McDonnell’s Lens & Larder Spring 2015 (April 21-24) in Ballyvolane House. The expert team includes The Menu’s fine friend, chef Cliodhna Prendergast of Breaking Eggs, and international stylist and photographer, Marte Marie Forsberg. Package includes: 3 nights B&B; lunches and evening dinners as well as one local foraging trip. Email lensandlarder@gmail.com to register.
32-COUNTY ACTION
The Menu is off to beautiful Kinsale once more for the All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off (April 19), sponsored by Clóna, which sees a representative chef from each of the 32 counties travel to Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale, to present their own version of this classic seafood dish in a bid to be crowned All-Ireland Chowder Champion with the eating public, the ultimate arbiter, voting for their favourites.
The winning chef will be taken to Newport, Rhode Island, next year, to fly the Irish flag with a stint as guest chef.
www.kinsalerestaurants.com/event/5th-ireland-chowder-cook
OYSTER-POPPING FUN
The Menu will be in Dungarvan this weekend attending the West Waterford Festival of Food but when he and Neidín finally hit the road for home, The Menu shall be endeavouring to ‘close’ his festival weekend with a visit en route to the 170-year old Seanchaí Bar and Restaurant for a wonderful evening of gin and oysters as three local businesses come together for a sybaritic finale.
The Menu has yet to taste the featured gin, but can truly vouch for Harty’s oysters. www.seanchai.ie
MARSHMALLOW HEAVEN
And so it is that The Menu says a sad farewell to Susan and Stephen of Cloud Confectionary, erstwhile staples of the local markets in Cork and producers of humungously popular and always innovative marshmallows.
While their splendid products always sold out at each market, the financial returns for such a labour-intensive enterprise could not justify the huge production workload involved, so they have decided to call it a day.
They will still turn out for one-off food events and can be found in Dungarvan for the West Waterford Festival of Food, this weekend retailing a most sublime festival special, their Blackwater No 5 gin marshmallow, using gin from West Waterford’s brand new Blackwater Distillery, the latest addition to the burgeoning Irish craft distillers movement.
While The Menu, as had been said, has yet to sample this West Waterford nectar, he can confirm the pillow-soft sweetmeat is possessed of bewitching, even smoky, floral notes that only serve to reinforce the poignancy of this particular passing cloud.
www.facebook.com/CloudConfectionary
Beer of the week
Stockists: O’Briens, Bradleys, Matsons, Carry Out Bandon Road, Next Door Raheen, DrinkStore, Baggot Street Wines
Brainblásta is a clever pun on Tasty Drop (braon blásta as Gaelige) and is brewed by Porterhouse, one of our oldest craft brewers who opened their doors in 1996 – a time when most of our other brewers were still under-age.
Brainblásta is a rich copper colour and pours with a light frothy head. Sweet malty aroma, soft fruity flavours on the palate with a big hop kick on the finish and a lingering bitterness from the (American) hops Galena and Nugget. Despite its strength this slips down remarkably well.
