Moyross monk cooking up a storm thanks to French family background

The scent of freshly baked, traditional French breads is wafting through Moyross thanks to the skills of a monk who comes from a family of bakers in Normandy.

Each week, Fr Charles Reche, who is a member of the Franciscan Renewal order of monks which moved to the Limerick estate in 2007, holds baking sessions with local women.

Fr Charles is one of four monks who live in the friary at Delmege Park.

“When I came here over three years ago, I started a cooking club and we have about six regular members who call here once a week. I was brought up in a bakery in Normandy and am the sixth generation of bakers. I love baking traditional French bread, baguettes, and pastries.

“I have shared my recipes with the local women who attend the cooking classes,” he said.

While he has introduced the French loaf to Moyross, his culinary skills have been enhanced by some Irish and local recipes.

“I now make a good Irish stew and I am also able to do the famous Limerick dish of packet and tripe,” Fr Charles said.

Fr Charles left Normandy for New York in 2002 to join the Franciscan Friars of Renewal order of monks which works among disadvantaged communities in many parts of the world.

“For our cookery club, we create a very warm environment where we can have a chat while we share recipes and do some cooking. It has gone very well and the local women seem to be very pleased.

“All the monks share the cleaning, laundry, and cooking duties at the friary, but when we have guests, I am usually delegated to the kitchen,” he said.