The Menu: Genuine sustainability acknowledged in Irish Food Writers’ Guild food awards
The winners of the 2024 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards. Photo: Paul Sherwood
It’s that time of year again when the Irish Food Writers’ Guild hand out their annual food awards and, even though The Menu is a proud member of said guild, he considers himself entirely objective when he states that these are the most important food accolades of all, as winners only learn they were even in the running when judging by the guild’s membership is complete, and each annual selection always amounts to a snapshot in time of the ongoing excellence of the Irish food world.
The Menu was especially delighted to see genuine sustainability, sans greenwashing, acknowledged with a food award for Regan Organic Chicken, in Co Wexford; the Environmental Award for highly progressive beef farmer Clive Bright, and his Sligo-based Rare Ruminare, a perfect model for truly sustainable livestock farming into the future; and the Community Food Award going to CUSP (Cork Urban Soil Project), the Cork-city based community-scale circular food waste system.
The Drink Award went to two more Menu favourites, Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll and their Valentia Island Vermouth; while the Lifetime Achievement award went to the thoroughly deserving Peter and Mary Ward, of Country Choice, Co Tipperary, thoroughly deserved, says The Menu, on the strength of their Limerick Milk Market outlet alone.
To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, Bhagya and Robert Barrett open up (March 13, 2pm) their very splendid Rebel City Distillery in Cork’s Marina to acknowledge women working in Cork’s hospitality sector, in an event featuring enriching conversations, crafted cocktails, and some rather joyous celebrations, all aimed at fostering connections, sharing insights, and showcasing achievement. RSVP to secure a place.
info@rebelcitydistillery.com
If early spring is presenting with all the bounce of a busted mattress, then perhaps a little fizz in your glass might elevate spirits, and a very special Laurent Perrier champagne dinner (March 15) at The K Club promises to do just that, with the iconic champagne producer partnering with the Barton Restaurant for a sumptuous six-courser featuring some of their finest vintages, paired with a some quite delicious food including fresh Irish brown crab, Atlantic lemon sole, and Irish guinea fowl. It all kicks off with a drinks reception in the elegant Garden Room before hitting the Barton for a night of highly exclusive dining, with overnight packages also available. Book by calling 01-601 7200.
In an ideal world, there would be representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, the IFA, Bord Bia and politicians from every party at the Cultivate Feeding Ourselves Gathering 2024 (March 21-24) in the WeCreate Workspace, at Cloughjordan EcoVillage, in Co Tipperary, where agro-ecological farmers and workers, community food and environmental advocates, and individuals and organisations involved in food co-ops, fair food systems, and rural regeneration, will come together to explore regenerative and resilient practices and ideas, designed to restore the land to true sustainability, with none of the usual greenwash so often spouted by those on his fanciful guestlist above, and to be able to bring the island of Ireland towards genuine food sovereignty, by growing and strengthening local food economies, shorter supply chains, and fostering cohesive synergies amongst local food stakeholders. It all culminates in a splendid social gathering in the truly special and highly impressive Ecovillage.
cultivate.ie/rural-regeneration/feeding-ourselves/
With Lá Féile Pádraig almost upon us, The Menu reckons a gift of one of Ardkeen Quality Food Store’s special Taste of Ireland hampers is every bit as welcome as a bowl of shamrock and infinitely tastier, and includes: Bold Bunny Irish Designed Paddy’s Day greeting card; Wexford Home Preserves Poitín Marmalade. The Sea Gardener Dilisk Irish Seaweed, Seymour’s Original Irish Shortbread. Seery’s Porter Cake, O’Neill’s Irish Atlantic Sea Salt; McCambridge’s Irish Soda Bread Kit; Flahavan’s Organic Porridge Oats; Barry’s Gold Blend Tea, and more.
