"I'd like to be having Sunday brunch in La Pepica in Valencia, Spain. I recently had a long and leisurely lunch surrounded by friends in this revered warehouse-style restaurant.
We shared two enormous paellas; one seafood and one chicken and rabbit. Both were sumptuous, juicy and filling and were accompanied by a refreshing local wine. The cavernous room was full of noisy Spanish families and the walls were covered with photographs of previous diners, among them the King and Queen of Spain and Ernest Hemingway. Outside the windows the Mediterranean lapped gently on the long, wide beach where children in Holy Communion outfits danced and played. A heavenly experience in every way.
BUT I'M NOT, SO . . .
I might stay at home in Dublin and prepare my chilli con carne. I follow Delia Smith's recipe which favours pieces of chuck steak over the more traditional mincemeat. It's fairly foolproof and I can usually depend on it to taste okay. If I'm having friends over, I like to make it the day before to allow the flavours to blend overnight.
Tiramisu makes a great follow-up and, like many piano pieces, it's not as difficult as it might seem.
In conversation with Marie-Claire Digby
Irish pianist Finghin Collins performs as part of the National Concert Hall's Summer Chamber Classics series on July 16th, 23rd and 30th. Tickets from €15. Booking on 01-4170000 or www.nch.ie