Grasp the nettle
They may be an irksome weed, but according to Biddy White Lennon and Evan Doyle in their Wild Food book, nettles can lower high blood pressure and purify the digestive system.
Be Nice to Nettles Week (May 15th-26th) is a UK initiative, but Lisloughrey Lodge in Cong, Co Mayo, is getting in on the act.
Head chef Jonathan Keane has devised new recipes for his menu, including wild nettle risotto, nettle and periwinkle soup, and an interesting dessert of nettle and peanut parfait. The hotel will be posting the recipes and tips on picking and using nettles on lisloughreylodge.com.
Barbecue boys
Ireland is sending a team to the 12th World Barbecue Championships in Morocco next weekend. Brendan O'Connor and Diarmaid Murphy both own mobile barbecue businesses – BBQ Joe's and Murphy Barbecue – while third team member Patrick O'Sullivan owns a health and dental clinic .
The event is in Saidia, in the north east , and the 18 teams will work their magic on lamb shoulder and ribs, chicken and beef brisket.
Food careers
Want to work in the food business abroad and raise awareness of Ireland's "green" credentials? Bord Bia is looking for 10 Irish Food Sustainability Ambassadors to take part in a post-graduate programme that will involve working with a global food and drink multinational while undertaking a two-year MSc in Business Sustainability.
The successful candidates will receive a bursary and have their academic fees and living expenses paid. It begins in September. See smurfitschool.ie/origin.
Market moves
Transition year students at Alexandra College in Dublin are hosting an Artisan Market Day today, at which they will be selling food products they have grown, sourced, developed and marketed over a four-month period. Domini and Peaches Kemp of this parish have acted as mentors to the 80 students who, in addition to growing or sourcing raw ingredients, have developed their own recipes and are required to submit business reports after today's sale.
On sale today between 11am and 2pm will be soups and smoothies, world food, from sushi to chutney and baked goods.
