Two ‘chefs’ to cook up a storm in Dunmanway for Men’s International Mental Health Week

A local politician and a well-known resident are set to square off, midweek, in the West Cork town of Dunmanway.

Independent county councillor Declan Hurley and Charlie Horgan, father of the 2015 Operation Transformation contestant Veronica, don their chef’s hats and aprons for a down-to-the-wire clash of the wooden spoons in a much-anticipated outdoor cook-out to mark Men’s Health Week!

Both men have remained close-mouthed about the dishes they were intending to prepare for Wednesday’s two-hour cook-off at 11am.

“Charlie, whose wife is Italian, has said he will be doing a surprise Italian dish,” says Kirstie Smith, community development worker for the Dunmanway Men’s Shed and Community Garden, which is run by the Dunmanway Family Resource Centre.

“Not to be outdone, Declan, who is West Cork to his toenails, says he will be doing a surprise Irish dish — so it’s going to be a very interesting lunchtime,” said Ms Smith.

Members of the public can drop in to sample, and judge, the duo’s efforts.

“Members of the public are invited to sample their cooking and decide who is to be the winner,” Ms Smith said.

The event will take place in Dunmanway Community Garden.

It is part of several events being held by the Resource Centre to celebrate this week’s International Men’s Health Week.

“We are celebrating men’s Health Week because we have quite a number of men attending our Men’s Shed here and we also have a number of men attending other activities run by the Resource Centre,” Ms Smith explained.

“We decided to take advantage of Men’s Health Week to run a range of events and activities which promote good men’s health.” Other events include a special weight-loss programme designed for men called ‘Shed The Fat’ which incorporates everything from walking soccer to fitbox and obstacle courses.

Men are also invited to attend a free male yoga class as well as an information session on positive psychology, while free health checks from the public health nurse are also available.

Check out Dunmanway Family Resource Centre facebook, or contact Ms Smith at 023 8856818.