Compiled by MARIE-CLAIRE DIGBY
Take a walk, chef
You can join Matt Fuller, head chef at the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, on a culinary tour of the city this summer, followed by dinner in the hotel's Citron restaurant and overnight BB in an executive suite. The chef's tour lasts for three hours and is usually limited to two participants per tour, so you'll get his undivided attention. The package costs €275pps. See fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com
Gimme ice, baby
These pretty ice cubes with leaves and pieces of fruit frozen within were made with Ice Balls, a new product on the ever-changing list at online shop, kitchencookware.ieset up by young Westport entrepreneur Aaron Joyce. There are four golf-ball-sized orbs in each pack (€9.99), and you can fill them with water or juice, plus herbs such as mint or basil leaves, and pieces of fruit such as lemon or lime. Once frozen the balls can be popped open, revealing the decorative ice cube.
Book of the week
‘The Food of Spain, A Celebration’, by Claudia Roden (Penguin, £25)
Book of the week? Book of the year perhaps. If you have even the faintest interest in the Spain’s complex and deeply rooted in tradition cuisine, you’ll lose track of time over and over again as you peruse this gem. Roden’s trademark scholarly approach to her subject led her on a five-year voyage of exploration of the food history and culture of Spain, its regional cooking, ingredients, techniques and utensils, and a carefully curated and representative selection of recipes. Wonderfully atmospheric photography by Jason Lowe complete the package. Definitive is a word often used without justification; not in this case. Push something else off your book shelves, if you have to, but don’t miss out on this one.
Culture, craft and a good chinwag
Food writer and blogger Niamh Shields (below) will join Trevor White, author of The Kitchen Con, and Irish Times journalist Jim Carroll for what promises to be lively debate on Our Vegetative State – Food and Popular Culture, as part of a busy programme of events at Kilkenny Arts Festival (August 10th-19th). The debate is one of three discussions on food-related topics taking place on August 15th, 16th and 17th, and the others are Elbows Off The Table – Traditions, Rituals and Mealtime Memories (with food historian Regina Sexton, Sheila Maher, author of Six at the Table, and product designers Designgoat, whose molecular gastronomy-inspired piece is pictured below right), and The Unknown Country – GM and our future food (with journalist Suzanne Campbell and bio-hacker Cathal Garvey).
For details of venues and dates, see kilkennyarts.ie. While in Kilkenny, don't miss Utensil, an exhibition of the work of 23 European applied artists and product designers on alternative approaches to tableware. It's at the National Craft Gallery and runs from August 11th to October 29th.
Top food tweets
Bord Bia @Bordbia: Did you know Ireland has a population of 4.5m people but it produces enough food for 35m & will over the years produce enough to feed 50m.
Tastefully Yours @Artisanchutney: I work long hours yet still find the time to do what my grandmother and mother did. They cooked from the heart with no waste.
Fallon & Byrne @FallonandByrne: Just had her Madgesty’s people in buying lots of cheese and wine.
Hamish Wakes-Miller @hamishwm: Heavy rain in Bordeaux. The vines need 3 months of sunshine otherwise 2012 will be a washout.
