First off I want to applogise for my long absence on the blog. It has been a busy year, full of change and challenges. Masterchef this year was amazing to watch and for a change be the viewer, however I felt everything the contestants felt. It was also strange seeing a new group of people go through the process, but hats off to all involved this year it really is an amazing experience.
In the last year and a half since the show has finished I was working for Dylan. I began in Rustic Stone and just last september moved to open his new restaurant Fade St.Social. Rustic thought me a huge amount as I started there as commis chef with no experience I was new to the life of a chef. It was certainly a challenge but I was determined not to give up and soon I really found my feet and gained huge experience. I was very excited to be apart of opening a new and current restaurant. It really was an immense challenge, from menu testing to opening to working in an open kitchen! It was invaluble what I learned during this time and I will take it with me wherever I go.
It has always been a dream of mine to live and work in Paris for a while. And I felt this year was the right time as I wanted to learn and travel. During my time working in the kitchen I really fell in love with patisserie and was always marveled at how disciplined and skilled pastry chefs were. I want to learn the technique and have creative freedom in pastry. Pastry however is different it takes skill, training and patience, its an art of its own. What I missed about architecture is the creative design element and now I am hoping I can get that back in pastry. So since then I have moved to Paris to persue a dream…..
With thanks to thanks to Iseult Janssens from The Cake Stand, I got a place to study patisserie in a world renowned culinary school, Ferrandi! It has been very exciting and I cant believe Im here. Its been three weeks in the school and I have learned a huge amount and meet some amazing people all driven and excited about the world of patisserie. This is an amazing opportunity to study and live in Paris so I want to share this experience with all those who follow and hopefully I can pass on some interesting tips and techniques along the way!……….. watch this space
Lots of love from Paris! xx
So two weeks ago I headed out to Newport RI in the States to take part in an International cook-off! I was so excited but admittedly VERY nervous, I was going to cook against a head-chef in Newport who was at the top of his game. And me….well lets just say I have charm and I would like to think I am building myself up in the ranks of the chef world. Its tough thinking you are cooking against someone with that much experience but I was just excited to be there and to be taking part and representing my home country, no pressure…
So with Mothers Day around the corner, I am getting ready by making some foodie gifts and giving you some ideas on how to impress your mum this Mothers Day! These simple gifts don’t take long to prepare and make for a very memorable gift. Why not spoil your Mum this Mothers Day!
Newstalk with Tom Dunne
So guys I had my first interview with Tom Dunne today on Newstalk. I had a ball! the minute I walked into the offices people were coming over checking out the treats I brought and asking me all about Masterchef.
It has been six whole months since I auditioned for Masterchef Ireland, and my how things have changed!. After three years of college, I changed direction, and chanced my arm at something I love, and now it is great to be following my dream.
In the last month, I’ve been caught up with lots of media activities, including getting this website off the ground, finally a getting a hold of twitter and even a radio interview with the one and only PK.
But, who is PK I hear you ask????
It’s been fab working with the amazingly talented photographer Joleen Cronin. We’ve had so much fun on all our shoots to date, and she has produced some outstanding images, the evidence of which are scattered throughout this website!.
Well, more fun was had on this recent Easter Egg theme photoshoot, which we shot in her garden. Have fun watching kids, I know we did!
I am very excited to be hosting five cookery demonstration nights at the Mills In in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork. I am basing the demos on heathly nutritious eating and will be covering lots of easy and simple dishes for you to prepare.
To book a place on the course, please contact the Mills Inn on (026) 45237
For more information on this and other events in the Mills, visit their website here.