EirGrid Euro-Toques Food Awards 2014

The very best of Irish produce were recognised and celebrated yesterday at the Euro-Toques Food Awards 2014. The event took place at the Residence Club on St Stephen's Green in Dublin at a reception hosted by Ella McSweeney with canapés featuring the Award Winning foods, stylishly prepared by Graham Neville of Restaurant Forty One.
With Irish Cuisine and produce currently enjoying international recognition, five producers from all over Ireland were presented with a coveted Euro- Toques Award for their outstanding produce.The Award also recognises innovation and the preservation of traditional methods handed down from generation to generation and these were very much alive with these winners, albeit an innovative twist but foremost, their passion for the survival of traditional techniques and skills and channelling those into thriving Artisan businesses.
The Winners were selected by  Ireland's 160 Euro-Toques Chefs; Central to the selection criteria among others were Taste;Environmental sustainability;Preservation of traditional methods and Provenance.

Elderflower & Vanilla Collins @MintBarDublin , WESTIN Hotel . Dublin

With this glorious weather beaming on us at present , what better ways to will away the afternoon lazily with friends , sipping some refreshingly and summery cocktails and the place to be is         "The Mint Bar"  at the Westin hotel , on college green , Dublin .

With an extensive cocktail menu , there is something for every taste , from Fizzes  to Collins , Slings and Rum , From the Classic to the Contemporary , you will be spoiled for choice .
 Karl Byrne , the Manager is there to talk you through and advise .Most Charming gentleman with an extensive knowledge of his Cocktails. A true Mixologist .

Jose Cuervo Tequila and a few ways to drink it

Tequila made from the blue agave plant, is primarily grown in the surrounding areas, north west of Guadalajara but can also be cultivated in the highlands, surrounding the north western Mexican state of Jalisco, where the soil is much richer. The blue volcanic soil of those areas are particularly well suited to the growing of the blue agave plant.However the blue agave growing in the highlands are larger in size and will produce a tequila sweeter in aroma and taste, where as agave harvested in the lowlands on the other hand, have a more herbaceous fragrance and flavour. Contrary to popular beliefs, the agave plant is not related to the cactus family but rather to the Lily.
Similar to Wine (AOC) & Champagne, Tequila carries a serial no (NOM) depicting in which distillery the tequila was produce, however Mexican laws state that tequila can solely be produced in the states of Jalisco and in limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit and Tamaulipas and must contain at least 51% agave.
Although most well-known tequila brands are owned by large multinational corporations, some more exclusive tequila have remained as family owned brands like Jose Cuervo. The Cuervo family have been producing tequila from King Charles IV of Spain in 1795 and is today one of the largest producer of tequilas in Mexico.

Irish Kitchen Magazine. April / May issue 2014

 As featured in Irish Kitchens Magazine.... April / May  2014

Thank you Claire Craig for a wonderful interview .