Food & Drink

Above left: Paula and John O’Connor of Greenacres, Wexford town, with their award for Best Wine Experience in Co. Wexford. Above right: Emer and Martin O’Brien of the Mullichain Café in St Mullins – Best Café in Co. Carlow. Pics: Paul Sherwood.

Local winners at Leinster regional restaurant awards 2022

Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath, 16th August 2022.

The Leinster Regional Final of Irish Restaurant Awards 2022 took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel, County Meath, on Tuesday 16th August 2022. Over 900 restaurant and hospitality business owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the awards event.

Speaking at the Leinster Regional Awards Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, said; “Now in their 13th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards returns after the 2020 Awards were cut short. The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the existing and up-and-coming talent in the sector and are a reminder that hospitality is nothing without the dedicated and passionate staff in the industry. The Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland. With well over 100,000 nominations received from the public this year, the standard for the judging process was higher than ever.” Food outlets were nominated under the categories of Local Food Hero, Best Free From, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Wine Experience, Best Café, Best World Cuisine, Best Newcomer, Pub of the Year, Best Casual Dining, Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, Best Customer Service, Best Gastropub, Best Chef, and Best Restaurant and finally a new award category for 2022 – Best Sustainable Practices. All of the county winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All Ireland Final on Monday 19th September 2022.

THE CO. WEXFORD WINNERS ON THE NIGHT WERE: Local Food Hero Sponsored by The Irish Times: Regan Organic Farm, Mary Regan. Best Sustainable Practices Sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland: Cistín Eile. Best Free From Sponsored by Peroni Nastro Azzurro: Donna Marina. Best Emerging Irish Cuisine Sponsored by FBD: Aldridge Lodge. Best Restaurant Manager Sponsored by AIB Merchant Services: Lobster Pot Seafood Restaurant, Nicola Zammit. Best Wine Experience Sponsored by Bibendum Ireland: Greenacres Restaurant and Wine Store. Best Café Sponsored by Illy: Carlow – Mullichain Café. Wexford – D’lush Café. Best World Cuisine Sponsored by San Pellegrino: The Red Elephant. Best Newcomer Sponsored by Square: Jasper’s Restaurant. Pub of the Year Sponsored by Jameson: The Sky & the Ground. Best Casual Dining Sponsored by Musgrave Marketplace: 10 West Bistro & Cocktail Lounge – Restaurant. Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant Sponsored By Frylite: The Duck Restaurant – Marlfield House. Best Customer Service Sponsored Restaurant-Insurance.ie Provided by Dolmen: One Hundred Degrees Restaurant & Wine Bar. Best Gastro Pub Sponsored by Worldpay from FIS: Simon Lambert & Sons. Best Chef Sponsored by BWG Foodservice: La Côte Seafood Restaurant, Paul Hynes. Best Restaurant Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants: La Côte Seafood Restaurant. n

Warding off the wasps at Wheelocks

Cyril Wheeelock enjoying a cuppa in peace with the Wasp Star tower in the background which wards off wasps and makes outdoor dining in the Village at Wheelocks even more comfortable.

Last month, The Village at Wheelocks, Enniscorthy, installed the Wasp Star sytem – the world’s first bio-friendly, non-lethal wasp control system to ensure its restaurant customers and staff can enjoy the best possible dining experience and working conditions. The system is based on providing a particularly attractive food source which entices the wasps away from the tables, bins, strawberry plants, etc on the Wheelock’s site. Check out: https://www.facebook.com/WheelockFruitsEnniscorthy/videos/1136475776938347 Last month also, Wheelocks featured on John Torode’s new series on Food Network UK “John Torode’s Ireland” where he showcases the best of Irish food. The visit to Wheelocks is included in episode 3 and can be viewed on Discovery+ n

New Asian Street Food restaurant to open in Enniscorthy town centre

Work is ongoing behind closed doors at the River Restaurant premises in Market Square as the new owners, who have an established Chinese restaurant in Galway, are preparing to open later this month. The new restaurant will be called ‘Lime’. The River Restaurant was previously run by the popular John and Margaret Morrissey for 27 years. They thank their loyal customers over those years and are delighted that the premises will continue to be a restaurant serving the people of Enniscorthy into the future. n

The recently closed River Restaurant will be reopening later this month as ‘Lime’ under new management. Above right: Cllr Jackser Owens outside the new restaurant.

Saltees Coast Hotel –fine food and wonderful weddings

Saltees Coast Hotel is situated in the heart of historic Kilmore Quay within walking distance of beaches, walking trails, and the harbour.

This family-friendly hotel with its welcoming staff is now under new, local management, and is serving food seven days a week, 8am to 8pm, with great value steak nights on Mondays and Thursdays, and curry nights on Tuesdays. It is also in the wedding business catering for weddings of all kinds. Contact: 053 9148641 for more information. n

Your local Slimming World Consultants in Enniscorthy Providing you with a huge choice of sessions throughout the week:

Tuesdays @ 6.30pm The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384 Wednesdays @ 9.30am, 11.00am, 5.30pm and 7.00pm Enniscorthy Rugby Club Call Trish on 087 3607615 Saturdays @ 9.00am and 10.30am The Salt n Pepper Pot, Community Workshop Call Tony on 087 1785384

Enniscorthy allotments

Above: Cutting the ribbon, L-R: Anna Davis (Treasurer, Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Cllr Lisa McDonald, Chairperson LCDC, Cllr Aidan Browne (Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District and committee member of Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Michael Devereux (Chairman, Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Noreen Kehoe (Secretary, Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Cara Daly (guest speaker), Eimear McCauley (committee member, Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Mark Cooke (Vice-Chairperson, Enniscorthy Community Allotments).

The Enniscorthy Community Allotments (ECA) group was awarded funding in December 2021 and by 11th April 2022 the wonderful allotments facility was open, and growing had commenced on site.

The ECA is made up of local people who grow their own fresh produce and aim to encourage biodiversity, organic and sustainable food growing, promote and encourage the practice and knowledge of horticulture among members and to build community spirit. To date, they have created 64 plots, 20 raised beds, and a polytunnel with 60 growing spaces and approximately 250 people use the allotments on a regular basis. What an incredible success story which has been acknowledged by RTE who filmed there recently and by the ECA group winning a top award in this year’s national Energia Get Ireland Growing initiative. http://www.enniscorthycommunityallotments.ie/ https://www.facebook.com/Enniscorthycommunityallotments Email: enniscorthyallotments@gmail.com n

Plenty of political support for the Enniscorthy Allotments L-R: Cllr Lisa McDonald, Minister James Browne TD, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Jackser Owens, Cllr Aidan Browne (Cathaoirleach Enniscorthy Municipal District), Michael Devereux (Chairman, Enniscorthy Community Allotments), Cllr George Lawlor (Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council), Paul Kehoe TD, Cllr Cathal Byrne, Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan.

Enniscorthy winners at Great Taste Awards

Killowen Farm, based in Courtnacuddy, Enniscorthy, struck gold yet again at the Great Taste Awards 2022 winning a total of 15 gold stars. Comments from the judges for Killowen Farm Lemon Curd included: “The flavour is stunning – lactic tang blending beautifully with the citrus zestiness and then the cream pulling it all together in a perfectly rounded way. The finish is long and fresh with a clean blossomy feel.” And for its Wexford blackcurrant, “What a beautiful aroma of yogurt and sweet yet sharp blackcurrant hit as we delve in deeper... The deep red/black colour of the berries is stunning and sits in perfect harmony with your beautiful Wexford dairy herd.” O'Neills Bacon, based in Enniscorthy, was awarded a total of three stars by the Great Taste Awards 2022 for its Dry Cured Bacon Joint, Dry Cured Back Rashers, Dry Cured Rindless Streaky Rashers. What do these stars mean? Each product that receives a Great Taste Award has been through a rigorous and independent judging process and is deemed to be anything from Simply Delicious to Exquisite. Both companies are proud to be included in this year’s awards and say a big thank you to all their customers who continue to support their prizewinning products. n

Top foodie joins the Slaney News team

The Slaney News is delighted to welcome on board well known food blogger and photographer Caitriona Barron from Drinagh, Wexford. Caitriona’s first food column appears in this month’s Food section so make sure to check it out and also see https://www.facebook.com/triedtestedtasted and Caitriona_barron on insta. Caitriona Barron

Enniscorthy Street Rhythms Festival on 27th August in Market Square. It wasn’t all song and dance as M&M Butchers had their food stand in operation and Nadia Chizara got to grips with some chicken there.

Roses visit Wheelocks outlet

Above left

The Rose of Tralee contestants visited one of Wheelocks strawberry outlets near Enniscorthy during their tour of Co. Wexford last month. Pics: Courtesy of Maria Nolan.

Reminiscent of the most famous Irish Tea Party ever hosted the Kennedy Summer School is set to host a Tea Party at the JFK Arboretum at 2.30 pm on Thursday, September 8th, 2022. For tickets see kennedysummerschool.ie

Kennedy Summer School Tea Party

The most famous Irish tea party is set to be re-enacted at the JFK Arboretum in Co. Wexford during the annual Kennedy Summer School on the afternoon of Thursday, September 8th, 2022.

The Kennedy Summer School will celebrate the iconic Presidential visit of John F Kennedy to New Ross and Dunganstown with a special event of talks, entertainment and afternoon tea. The event will be hosted by Sean Connick, Chief Executive of the JFK Trust New Ross, and will feature guest personality Mary Kennedy to talk about her career paths and life after RTÉ. The afternoon promises to be an interesting, entertaining, lively opportunity for all involved to meet, mingle and chat in that most typical of Irish ways – over a cup of tea. During the event, mezzo-soprano Olga Doroshchuk, a Ukrainian opera singer and film and theatre actress who came to Ireland in April due to the war in her homeland, will entertain visitors at the event with an operatic performance. Olga has performed many roles in Kyiv including Gertrude in Gounod's ‘Roméo et Juliette’ with the Kyiv Opera Theatre, Lyubasha in Rimsky-Korsakov's ‘The Tsar's Bride’, and the title role Carmen in Bizet's ‘Carmen’.

In addition, rare film footage of the visit of President John F Kennedy captured by the late Peggy Walsh will also be screened. Guests to the event will be treated to an array of pastries and cakes and of course a traditional fruit cake, which is what President John F. Kennedy along with his sisters Eunice Shriver and Jean Kennedy-Smith were served by his cousin Mary Ryan during his visit in 1963. These delicious treats will be made by the expert members of the Wexford Federation Irish Country Women's Association. During his 1963 visit, the President cuts a slice of the cake, which he ends up giving to Mary Ryan, his second-cousinonce-removed. He thanks her and her friends for doing all of the cooking and offers a toast, “A cup of tea to all the Kennedys who went and all the Kennedys who stayed.” The annual Kennedy Summer School is set to host a number of expert discussions and is billed as 'A Festival of Irish Mary Kennedy to host Kennedy and American, History, Politics Summer School Tea Party. and Culture. There will be over 40 guest speakers participating with United States Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin set to officially open the event. US politician and grandson of Robert Kennedy, Joe Kennedy will join the event remotely plus there are a host of politicians, political commentators and correspondents and leading global academics who will all join in the discussions billed for the annual Kennedy Summer School which is set to take place in New Ross this September 8th to 10th, 2022. The 2022 Summer School will focus on topical issues in Irish and U.S. politics with leading expert speakers from both sides of the Atlantic along with a focus on Russia and Ukraine and a discussion on Sustainable Futures and political impact. The 2022 Kennedy Summer School programme and tickets are now available online at www.kennedysummerschool.ie or call St. Michael’s Theatre on 051 421255. n

Slaney aDSlaney FOOD & DRInK Tried-Tested-Tasted by Caitriona

Caitriona Barron from Drinagh, Wexford, grew up on her dad’s farm with plentiful homegrown veg and their own meat so “we really knew the value of good food. My mother started a seafood business after meeting my stepfather fisherman, my brother now runs the seafood business so I’m well used to fresh food.”

“I worked with the family business before leaving to be a stay-at-home mother but soon got bored (lol!) and started taking pics of my food, sharing my recipes on social media. When people started showing interest, I realised this could be a job so I bought myself a camera and threw myself in the deep of it. I love it and I get to work with amazing companies. Seeing my pictures in magazines, in shops, and occasionally on TV is pretty amazing. “I’m a mother of two boys and, yes, juggling it all can be very tough. But I keep it going as it’s my passion now and it’s very rewarding.” https://www.facebook.com/triedtestedtasted and Caitriona_barron on insta n

Caitriona Barron

CREAM CHEESE CHEDDAR AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

450g butternut 300g potatoes 2 leeks cleaned and chopped 2 cloves garlic 700g veg or chicken stock 1 packet of Killowen cream cheese 100g grated cheddar Salt pepper to taste Chop veg, add to a saucepan with stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for 40 mins. Add cream cheese and blend, stir in cheddar, season to taste and serve.

New tapas & cocktail bar at the Holy Grail

Above: Proprietor Biju at the launch of his new venture in Market Square, Enniscorthy. Above right: Jorge and Sofia Ova had the distinction of being the first customers to enjoy the new tapas and cocktail bar.

Below: Maria Nolan, Michael Bennett, Helen and Eric Barron, Cristian Dorneanu (Community Garda), Sergeant Sylvia Ryan (Community Garda). Pics: Courtesy of Maria Nolan. See more on pages 8-9.