ALL THE FOOD OF THE FAIR The Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Dublin 8 hosts a Spirit of Dublin summer craft fair on Saturday (Aug 27th) from 10.30am-5pm, at which the exhibitors will include Currabinny, the food company set up by James Kavanagh, best known now for his Snapchat account, but previously involved in PR and marketing, and Ballymaloe trained William Murray. You can expect a vintage-inspired showstopper stand from these two, who will be selling home baked goods and "wholesome hotpots". Kavanagh and Murray (above) are filming a series of cooking shows for RTÉ online, and plan to launch a series of Currabinny supper club events in the autumn. Former Great Irish Bake Off runner-up Shane Murray will also be at the fair today, selling his MUD Bakery brownies, traybakes and cakes. As well as supplying cafes, delis and markets, MUD delivers party supplies such as special occasion cakes and cheesecakes to addresses in the Dublin area.
It’s not all sweet stuff though, Improper Butter will be there with their garlic and herb, grass-fed butters, and Oriel Sea Salt and Munroes jerk sauces will be on sale too. Teeling Whiskey Company will have samples of seasonal cocktails, and Dot’s Brew, a craft brewery in Dublin 8, will have some of its small-batch brews for tasting. teelingwhiskey.com
KITCHEN STYLE M&S is launching a new range of professional-standard kitchenware, that also looks very stylish, with on-trend marble and copper accents in some pieces. There are 40 items in the range, including cookware, utensils, accessories and serving bowls and plates. Central to the range is the Tri-Ply pan range of stainless steel pots with ovenproof brass handles (€135 for a set of three). These have a textured base with a waffle effect, exclusive to M&S, which the company says lifts food up from the pan surface, "to create airflow underneath – which helps with browning, searing and sautéing". The range will be available in store and online, from next month.
POTTERING ABOUT Nicholas Mosse Pottery, in Bennetsbridge, Co Kilkenny celebrates its 40th anniversary in October. The factory shop, in a converted mill on the banks of the River Nore, is a lovely spot to visit, and with some good bargains to be had on the "seconds" tables, it's hard to leave emptyhanded. There's also a good cafe selling tea, coffee, sandwiches, scones, cakes and lunches. What's not so well known, is that guided tours of the factory are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. During the 60-minute tour, visitors learn about the 20 steps involved in each handmade piece, and get to watch the potters in action – throwing, hand sponging and glazing. Places must be booked in advance by emailing tours@nicholasmosse.com and cost €5 per person.
RIVER COTTAGE RAVES . . . Gelf Alderson, head chef at River Cottage HQ in the UK, brings a taste of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's empire to Airfield Festival of Food in the Dublin suburb of Dundrum next month (September 9th-11th). As well as food markets, workshops and talks, the festival will offer two ticketed eating experiences.
Alderson hosts a seasonal dining experience in Overends restaurant on Saturday, September 10th (7pm- 11pm, €65). And on Friday, September 9th, there will be a Trash Bash Supper (€25) at which “boundaries will be pushed on what people currently accept as food waste”.
. . . AT AIRFIELD The River Cottage connection will also be seen in the Airfield kitchen gardens, where Will Livingstone, head gardener at the Devon enterprise, will join Airfield's head food grower, Kitty Scully, for a series of gardening workshops during the weekend. airfield.ie
