Rachel to cook up a storm for baby care unit

TV COOK and author Rachel Allen is teaming up with an artisan food network to showcase Christmas cookery while helping to raise funds for a special baby care unit.

Up to 500 food lovers are expected to turn up at Clonmel Park Hotel for the Tipperary Food Producers Network Christmas Cookery Extravaganza on December 7.

Local produce will be the main feature of the menu, while Rachel will offer her own take on traditional festive favourites, as well as coming up with new ideas using the best of local ingredients.

The evening will help to raise funds for the South Tipperary General Hospital special care baby unit which is in need of new equipment.

“I am very excited about coming to Tipperary to do this demonstration,” Rachel said.

“Tipperary food has such a fantastic reputation and the local producers are doing great work to promote this wonderful asset.”

The evening has been organised by the local food producers body, which is appealing to consumers, to support small, artisan food producers as well as shop and buy local.

Local cheese and wine will be served at the event with Clonmel-based wine expert Gary Gubbins of Red Nose Wine due to give guidance on wines to accompany the variety of dishes. Food blogger Imen McDonnell will also give a live butter-making demonstration.

Network chairman Pat Whelan, a butcher and author, said for every spend of €10, twice as much is returned to the local economy compared to large retail multiples.

“We urge local people to support their local producers,” he said.