THE LINK-UP BETWEEN A MID CORK RESTAURANT AND A NORTH CORK SPUD HAS SPROUTED A GROWING SUCCESS
THE link-up between a North Cork spud and a far-famed Mid Cork pub/restaurant is proving to a golden wonder that is flowering as fast as this season’s new potatoes.
Based at one of Ireland’s most iconic pubs and restaurants on the Cork to Killarney road, Macroom based The Farmer’s Table is transforming the international image of the humble Irish spud with its range of baked potatoes packed full of locally sourced, traditional ingredients.
The company has now secured new listings with the Musgrave Group (SuperValu and Centra) to bring an expanded range of its products to an additional 33 stores, making it available in a total of 76 stores across the region.
Michael O’Riordan, proprietor of the iconic Auld Triangle bar and restaurant since the early 1970s, launched The Farmer’s Table just last year, but it’s been growing ever since..
“We are delighted to see our products in more stores and to bring two more of our delicious baked potato to freezer cabinets right across Munster,” said Michael.
“It’s great to see the business growing and we hope to be in a position to create more employment right here in Macroom over the coming months.
“We are very proud to use 100% Irish, natural ingredients and to support local producers and sustainable employment right here in County Cork.”
The Farmer’s Table began life at the O’Riordan family’s pub and restaurant, The Auld Triangle – a tavern has stood on the site for several centuries!
The Farmers Table range combines locally produced Rooster Potatoes grown by Ned English in Lombardstown near Mallow with top quality 100% Irish and completely natural ingredients to create a mouth-watering dish that is ready to serve in a matter of minutes.
Michael said the inspiration for the product range came from the positive feedback from customers in the Auld Triangle:
“As a publican and restaurant owner, listening to customers and responding to their needs is vital and becomes second nature!
Baked potatoes have always been one of the most popular items on the menu in the Auld Triangle and we wanted to bring this healthy, simple and convenient dish to a wider market,” he said.
The team at the Farmer’s Table recently had an opportunity to showcase their full range of products to international buyers and have face-to-face meetings with key buyers in the UK, wider European and global marketplace at one of Europe’s biggest industry events, IFE 2015. The Farmer’s Table appeared along side the nine other Cork producers at a specially designed trade stand as part of the Taste Cork regional marketing initiative funded by Cork County Council and Cork Local Enterprise Offices.
“There was great interest in our products and we had some very productive meetings with buyers from a very wide range of British and international retail outlets and the food services sector,” said Michael.
“As a local business, we look forward to creating more, sustainable local employment in the Macroom area as our business expands and begins to export.”
Meanwhile, the link-up with Musgraves has been key to their home-grown expansion. “Working with Musgraves has been a very positive experience for our business. Their knowledge of the retail sector is unsurpassed and their network of SuperValu and Centra stores means that our products are available in stores right at the heart of every community in the province,” said Michael.