This week's Bite-Size has more than a few Irish good news stories. First up, there's a full celebration of the best of Limerick local produce and food culture as The Pigtown Food & Culture Series returns for a fifth year.
There's a new launch from a family-run dressings business in Co Dublin and the Redmond family in Wexford now bring their award-winning meats to your door. Plus there are intriguing new launches in the world of whiskey and coffee that could be worth adding to your "ones to try" list.
Best dressed
The family-run brand Berna’s Dressings has launched a new limited-edition French Dressing (€5.50/250ml). The artisan dressings and marinades are produced by hand in small batches in Abbyleix Co Laois and the new French Dressing is the brand’s first vegan product in the range. Along with fresh Dijon, it contains maple syrup rather than sugar and has a savoury note that works particularly well with green salads. The Berna's Dressings range features a Basil & Lime Dressing & Marinade, Honey & Mustard Dressing & Marinade and Chilli & Lime Dressing & Marinade and the new French Dressing is available in selected stockists and online at bernasdressings.ie from Saturday 11 September.
Family matters
We doubt there’s another Irish business that comprises a farm, two hotels, an online grocer and more but Redmond Farm in North Wexford does just that. Run by brothers Tommy and Paddy Redmond, the 600 acre Bord Bia approved farm is home to a herd of up to 1,000 prime Angus grass-finished cattle. There’s also the family’s two hotels in Gorey; the Ashdown Park and the Amber Springs and the brothers recently expanded the business with the launch of farmhousegrocer.ie. The online shop offers produce for delivery across Ireland and there’s the likes of wet and dry-aged steaks, burgers, roasts, mince and other products prepared by butcher Andrew Doyle.
Big in Japan
It may be a new launch but Roe & Co Japanese Sugi whiskey has already made a name for itself having taken Gold at The Spirits Business Irish Whiskey Masters 2021. The porous nature of Japanese Sugi wood imparts flavours quickly and has added unique notes to the liquid. The likes of matcha tea, toasted sandalwood and lychee are layered with the vanilla, toffee and spiced orchard fruit notes in Roe & Co’s blended whiskey. A limited edition, Roe & Co Japanese Sugi is priced at €80 and is available to pre-order from the Roe & Co Distillery for shipment across ROI and NI.
Back in town
The Pigtown Food & Culture Series kicks off on 16 September with a host of events across Limerick city and county that celebrate the region’s culture, food producers and food heritage. The 061 Dinner (0 Imports, 6 Restaurants, 1 Goal) gets things started on Thursday 16th. This 3-course dinner, with only Limerick suppliers on the menu, will be served in different restaurants at the same time. The cost is €40 per person (see the website for participating venues). There is also a trio of cookery demos taking place at the Mill Market upstairs in September and October, with Mike Tweedie, executive head chef at Adare Manor Hotel, Wade Murphy, chef/owner of 1826 Adare and Keith Piggot, head chef at No1 Pery Square all taking part. For full details see pigtown.ie
Special edition
Good news for coffee lovers: Nespresso’s limited edition Hawaii Kona coffee is available once more. Hawaii Kona is one of world's most prestigious coffees and is grown in a small region of Hawaii's Big Island on less than a thousand family-run farms. Only coffee grown in this region can sport the Hawaii Kona moniker. Nespresso’s iteration is made of pure Hawaii Kona arabica, which offers fruity, well-rounded flavours that linger on the palette. The brand recommends the coffee is served as an espresso for the full effect. A sleeve of 10 capsules is €11 for Original and €12 for Vertuo. Buy online at nespresso.com and at selected Nespresso boutiques.
