This past weekend has been a busy one!
Saturday saw the first ever Totally Tipp event take place in Cloughjordan which is about 15 minutes away from us. The idea behind it all was to showcase what is available in Tipperary. There were food stalls, a cookery demonstration tent, a ‘milk’ tent – where there were demonstrations on making butter and cheese. I had so wanted to learn how to make cheese – there was a demo on making mozzarella and ricotta, but they clashed with other things! I still haven’t managed bi-location! Imen from I Married an Irish Farmer was there doing her butter-making demonstration which I had learned so much about in Inishowen.
There was a meat tent – where you could learn how to butcher a lamb or pig, or watch how black pudding is made. Then there was the Cultivate Tent – and this is where I spent a lot of time!
The Cultivate Tent had discussions going on all day on so many different topics. The two I managed to sit in on were the “Business Opportunities of Organic, Artisan and Local Food” which was chaired by Ollie Moore, and had Seamus Sheridan of Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Stiofan Nutty and Mairin Byrne of Inch House speaking. All spoke so passionately and were so willing to share their knowledge – thank you.
A synopsis of the discussion – there are opportunities in Organic food production – especially into Europe. Education is the key to teaching people about shopping local and supporting local producers.
Bobby Kerr from the Dragon’s Den also joined at the end – his message was there is no point in taking on the multiples – you’ve got to learn to work with them!
I also popped in to listen to some of the discussion on ‘Raw Milk’ – now that was getting quite heated!
Again like everything else there are ‘perceptions’ out there….. I think in the end it comes down to labelling. Why can’t Raw Milk have a label on it and let people decide for themselves if they want to buy/use it! People are intelligent enough to make their own decisions – the government does not need to legislate. A similar argument can be made with regard to ‘artisan’, ‘free-range’ etc. It is all about words – and the perceptions that develop around those words but I could be here all night discussing that whole subject!
Other highlights of the day were the cookery demonstrations given by food bloggers – some of them doing so for the very first time! Well done ladies you did well. Their remit was to use local produce …. there were some very interesting recipes which of course I’ve come home with and am looking forward to trying out!
I sat in to watch Kirstin of Dinnerdujour prepare a Sweet Chilli Sausages with a tomato, chilli and coriander sauce. Doesn’t that sound nice? I am definitely trying that later in the week!
I missed out on seeing Nessa from Nessa’s Family Kitchen’s demonstration – that clashed with the Artisan Food discussion. Sorry Nessa!
Joanna from Smorgasblog did a wonderful combination of chicken breast stuffed with Inch House black pudding. I came home with some Inch House Black Pudding so now all I need are some chicken fillets! 🙂
Yvonne from Hey Pesto! did a variation of the Deluxe Sausage Pasta which has become a staple here! In fact we are had it for dinner tonight. Yvonne used Mediterranean sausages and added some wine to the recipe. Yvonne also cooked up some of her famous canapes… all of which looked totally delicious!
Theresa from The Green Apron was there, we had a short time to catch up on market news but she had some of her Raspberry and Chocolate Jam, which, of course, I came home with.
I met with Gillian from Chocolate Here who had brought me some absolutely wonderful chili truffles – they were last night’s dessert.
Wendy from My Chef at Home had travelled down to attend, so Gillian, Wendy and I had an impromptu picnic lunch together.
And in the middle of all the activity I also got to meet Karen to pass on my surplus aubergine plants… it’s all about sharing really! 🙂
I also met with lots of friends and neighbours – there was Mag from Goatsbridge, Ella from Your Field, My Fork, Mary from Williamsferry B&B – who invited us to dinner that evening! And what a lovely dinner it was too! And, not the only man I met there but Mark from Consult Mark was along, and we had a quick chance to catch up on news.
And the day finished off with me finally (I had been trying power of positive thinking all day!!!) winning…. this….
Then yesterday (Sunday) we had a lovely visit from another ‘virtual’ friend Colette @Katzwizkaz and her husband, who stayed and had an impromptu lunch – and left to head back to Louth as ‘real’ friends.
All in all a totally tip top weekend!
A Year In Redwood 