Top chef hosts cookery demo in aid of homeless people
Pat Kiely of Les Gourmandises in Cork, who was named the 2012 ‘Best Chef in Cork’ by the Restaurant Association of Ireland, will prepare sumptuous dishes from his menu at the event at The Kingsley Hotel next Thursday.
Pat, who has run the restaurant with his French wife Soizic for 14 years, has chosen dishes for their great taste and ease of preparation.
Soizic said Pat will prepare prawn, crab, cod, and chicken dishes and will reveal several culinary tips and tricks that can turn simple fresh ingredients into mouth-watering dishes.
“The reason we picked them is that they’re easy and delicious for a house-cook to make,” she said.
“The dishes are quite straight forward. Pat wanted to use simple ingredients but show that when you add some little things to it, you can make it taste and look wonderful without having to shop for hours for special ingredients. There are lots of little tips to learn.”
Guests will be treated to an aperitif of wine and light bites, followed by a two-hour cookery demonstration. They will also receive a booklet featuring the recipes and methods demonstrated.
The evening will be capped-off with an auction and raffle featuring culinary-related prizes.
This is the third fundraising initiative the Kielys have mounted to support the homeless. The couple contribute to the annual Cork Simon Ball and Les Gourmandises was one of the inaugural restaurants to participate in StreetSmart in aid Cork Simon — an initiative where diners are invited to add €2 to their restaurant bill to help the homeless.
Soizic said they feel compelled to help when they can.
“It could have been us years ago when we started.
“We put all our savings into the business and I remember a time when we had to pay our rent, we had to pay for the car, and we had no food at home. We were living off the little bit of food we would bring from the restaurant.”
“We were very much at the edge of having absolutely nothing. And we don’t forget it. It can happen to anybody. This is why we keep supporting Cork Simon.”
Tickets to the Les Gourmandises Cookery Demonstration are €30 and available from Kerry in Cork Simon at kerry.macmahon@corksimon.ie or 021-4929 410.
