Michelin-star chef Derry is right at home in County Wexford
AHEAD OF FUNDRAISER IN SEAFIELD, THE CELEBRITY CHEF SPEAKS OF HIS LOVE OF LOCAL WEXFORD PRODUCE
AN extra-special cookery demonstration with Michelin star celebrity chef Derry Clarke and local head chefs from the Ashdown, Amber Springs and Seafield hotels will be held in Seafield Hotel on Thursday, with all money raised on the night going to the Gorey Oscarz fundraiser.
Starting at 8 p.m., it’s sure to be a tasty experience as eight lucky winners will get to sit at the chefs’ tasting table and sample the three course meal that is on offer.
‘I will be preparing steaks for a beef dish as the main course, with the meat coming from Redmond’s farm. I’m going to show people how to cook a steak the right way. A lot of people think they can cook steak but it’s an expensive thing to cook, you don’t want to mess around with it as a main dish,’ said Derry Clarke.
There will be a vegetarian starter and a chocolate dessert, to compliment all tastes.
Raffle prizes on the night include a food hamper as well as dinner for two in some top restaurants, that are favourites of Derry’s.
Wexford has been a personal favourite holiday spot for Derry Clarke for more than 25 years, as the Clarke family have a holiday home in Ardamine, Courtown.
Derry said that his biggest complaint is that he is not down in Wexford enough.
‘I admit that I don’t come down as much as I should, myself and Sallyanne spend more time in Wexford during the summer than any other time but we try make it to Ardamine at least once a month.
‘I was actually supposed to star in one of the Gorey Oscarz movies, The First Wives Club, but unfortunately I’m going to be away in another part of the country the day of the filming. St Aidan’s is a great service and I would have loved to be part of the filming.
Being unable to make the gala event for the Gorey Oscarz, taking place on Saturday, November 16 at the Amber Springs hotel, Derry said that the cookery demonstration will be his chance to give back.
‘This demonstration is going to be a little different, with the tasting table right beside the stage. We have local chefs and produce from around the south east. I always say when you buy local you are supporting your neighbour, and this demonstration is really good value at only €20. It is going to be a really enjoyable experience.
‘What I love about Wexford is of course the strawberries, fresh fish from Kilmore quay, all the trawlers there are Irish and I love seeing that when I’m down there. The weather keeps me coming back but my absolute favourite thing is the potatoes here, the Queens and the flower queen. I’ve also been taken in with local vegetables, particularly the mushrooms.
‘The Wexford Food Families is a great initiative, and I’ve certainly a few favourites from the selection, such as the Macamore Buffalo Farm but really there are just so many great places to eat around Wexford, especially near me in Courtown and Gorey.
Derry Clarke, who has over 40 years of experience in the food industry, said that his advice to young chefs starting out is to keep at it.
‘There are loads of places to get some good teaching and I would always say to keep learning and enjoy the experience.
With a high turn over of restaurants in Gorey town, Derry explained that this challenge is country-wide.
‘Dublin has the same problem as do towns around Ireland for cafés as well as restaurants, not just in Gorey, and business can be difficult. Gorey is a busy town, but it’s not that busy. Restaurant owners have to pay rent and rates and then customers have to pay parking. Restaurants are busy mainly three or four days a week, starting on Thursdays, as there is only so much that people can take. This needs to be looked at by councils to make things more manageable for everyone,’ he said.
The Gorey Oscarz team would like to say thanks to everyone for their support so far to the fundraising cause and look forward to seeing everyone come together at the Gorey Oscarz gala event in November.
Tickets for the cookery demonstration costing €20 are available from Quinn Property, Gorey, by dropping in or calling 053 9480000 and all money raised on the night will go towards St Aidan’s Services, Gorey, to replace their buses.