LE Coq Hardi was possibly the busiest restaurant in town this week, and chef John Howard cooked up a storm, from banquet food to champagne dinners. Oliver Kehelly was in town to promote Limerick Food Week, which is to start on June 5th, dispelling any notions that the only food to be had in that city is the ubiquitous ham. The festival will include an international banqueting conference with teams from the UK, US, Sweden and Canada. The Irish team is as yet unconfirmed but hopes to include Peter Brady from Jurys Hotel Group, Ger Costelloe from Adare Manor and John Sheehan from Killarney Towers.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights Francois Gilley and her husband Sean of Terroirs in Donnybrook hosted three luxurious repasts to introduce Champagne Salon (1985 vintage) to Irish drinkers. The company's director, Didier Depond, applauded Howard's specially-designed menus and guests included the French ambassador, Henri de Coignac, artist Mike Fitzharris and his partner P.J. White, publisher Mike Hogan, and Croke Park architect Des MacMahon of Gilroy MacMahon.