Food File: The weekly food news round-up

Fodder for thought at Hay Festival
Jeremy Paxman, Louis de Bernières and Jung Chan are among the heavyweights from the worlds of broadcasting and writing pulling the crowds to the Hay Festival Kells next week, and if music from local band Ham Sandwich doesn't provide enough sustenance, you'll find further fodder in the Hay Food Tent.Olivia Duff of the Headfort Arms Hotel has signed up a support cast of stellar names from the food industry to offer cookery demonstrations, discussions, trade stalls and social events, including restaurateur Richard Corrigan, chef and author Rory O'Connell and food writer Sally McKenna. Sheridans Cheesemongers will host a wine and cheese social on the Saturday evening and the following evening local craft brewery Bru will offer their beers alongside a tapas menu.A group of food bloggers will participate in a panel discussion on what drives their interest in food. Expect diverse stories from Kristin Jensen (who blogs as Edible Ireland), Imen McDonnell (Modern Farmette), Aoife McElwain (I Can Has Cook), Caitriona Redmond (Wholesome Ireland) and Lily Ramirez-Foran (A Mexican Cook). This takes place in the tent on Sunday, July 6th at 12.30pm. See hayfestival.com/kells

No kidding
Young kid goat is a lovely thing – a lean and flavoursome meat that deserves to be more popular than it is here. Philip Mahon, head chef at Citron restaurant (below) in the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin will be using the meat, milk and cheese of the goat for a themed supper club in the restaurant next Thursday evening. The goat has been sourced from a producer in Tipperary and the chef plans to use it all, from nose to tail. Canapes and a cocktail are included in the dinner price of €39.99 and bookings are being taken by telephone: 01-4787000. Wine choices will be from – with not a hint of irony – the Goats do Roam vineyard in South Africa.

Picnics to go
If the recent summery weather has put you in the mood for eating outdoors, a picnic box from Bijou Deli in Highfield Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 makes that impromptu supper in the park or big day out at the races a little easier to organise. The boxes cater for two and include a selection of wraps, rolls or salads, plus either quiche or Scotch egg, along with chocolate, cheese and crackers and a choice of orange juice or homemade lemonade. The picnic, which costs €25 for two people, comes in the smart takeaway box pictured – but there's nothing to stop you transplanting the contents into your own wicker basket and taking all the credit. Order at least two hours in advance, or ideally the day before you want to pick it up. Telephone 01-4967612.