News
Chefs ready for county cook off
COOKING COMPETITION: Chad Byrne, Head Chef at The Brehon Hotel, is organising the new County Cooking Championships.
By Michelle Crean
Kerry’s best chefs will go head-to-head in a brand new County Cooking Championships competition next month.
10 chefs from across Kerry will cook up a storm - a five course meal in The Brehon Hotel on November 24 - to pay homage to Kerry’s artisan produce.
The winning chefs on the night will go on to represent Kerry in the Munster finals.
“Each chef will cook a course against each other,” organiser Chad Byrne, Head Chef in The Brehon, told the Killarney Advertiser. “Each chef will be judged by diners who will have score cards after every dish on the night - giving 50 percent of the total vote. Two external judges from the food industry will also have a 50 percent vote. The chef that gets the most votes on the night will be honoured as our team captain. They will then go on to represent Kerry in the Munster final - ultimately leading to an All-Ireland Championship.”
He added that each chef will be joined by a Commi Chef so they can mentor and continue to train the next generation, thus giving back to the industry.
“It’s a promotion of our fantastic culinary heritage here in Kerry with amazing chefs championing our fantastic regional food and highlighting true community spirit, the craic will be surly had. Our food producers will be on hand to mingle with our diners and as the chefs are cooking in the dining room there will be no shortage of banter. It will be a fun filled evening with the best food in the county being served with an amazing buzzing vibe and of course funky music rolled into one to make for a jam packed night full of craic and festivities.”
Going head-to-head for the starters will be Cyrille Durand from the Dromhall Hotel Killarney versus Gork Arrieta from Sua Basque Fusion in Inch and Sol Y Sombra in Killorglin.
Two chefs John Harty TasteKerry Ballybunion and Craig Lynch from the Ballygarry House Hotel will battle it out in the plant based category.
For the fish dish, chefs Dan Moynihan from The Brehon Hotel will face Patricia Teahan from Carrig County House, Reeks District.
James Coffey from the Park Hotel in Kenmare and Sean Roche of Doyle’s Dingle will serve up the main course while delicious desserts will be
Eimaer Flynn from The Gleneagle Hotel versus Bruce Mulcahy from Mulcahy’s Kenmare.
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway
Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis inside Killarney National Park.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed permission for the elevated platform project, which will complete the popular scenic loop while removing a dangerous 800-metre section along the busy N71 Killarney to Kenmare road.
Walkers and cyclists currently have to navigate narrow bends alongside heavy vehicular traffic and tour buses to complete the circuit between the Dinis and Torc car parks.
Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue welcomed the decision, calling it a transformative development for the region: “Since beginning in the Council in 2021, this has been one of my priorities as an issue I inherited from my predecessor Michael Gleeson, he being the first person to initially pursue the idea. I have repeatedly kept it on the agenda at Council meetings and now delighted to see we finally have positive news as this decision, which has been long overdue and eagerly awaited, will prove transformative for the area.”
Mayor O’Donoghue added: “The path, which will be on the lakeside, will offer views to rival those anywhere in the world and I have no doubt will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. Huge credit is due to Kerry County Council and the NPWS for their co-operation on the issue. Once the decision has passed through its statutory waiting period, the design and tender stage can begin.”
The project, which will be built on a raised platform to protect the natural habitat beneath, will also be fully accessible for people with mobility issues. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the green light, noting that the completed loop will create a major safe attraction showcasing Muckross Lake, Dinis Cottage, and the Old Weir Bridge.
LAKESIDE PATH: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a new raised walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis in Killarney National Park.
LOCAL GOLD: Terrie O’Shea, founder and owner of Killarney-based business Sorella Berries, celebrating her Gold award win at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards held in Dingle last week. Her hand-crafted chocolate covered strawberries secured the top spot in national competition, earning recognition for the local food producer on the national stage.
Green light for Torc to Dinis walkway
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc...
LOCAL GOLD:
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