To Learn: Workshops on Plant Based Food
Combining a passion for raw food with a love of Italian traditional cuisine, Sligo-based chefs Erika and Fabio Rosati (known as Fior di Zucca – Raw Italian Cuisine) are keen advocates of the power of raw food. Citing Erika’s successful recovery from rheumatoid arthritis as a persuasive example of the benefits of a raw food diet, Erika and Fabio will facilitate two workshops on the preparation of plant-based recipes in Dublin this month. The first takes place at the Hopsack Health Food Store Rathmines on Wednesday September 9th, while the second, at the Fumbally on Saturday September 12th, will be followed by dinner at the Fumbally Stables. For more details and to book online visit www.rawitaliancuisine.com
To Drink: The Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival
From bean harvesting techniques to innovations in brewing, the Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival celebrates all things new in this part of the beverage world. Programme highlights include the Home Barista Competition and live interactive demonstrations showcasing experimental trends in roasting and brewing methods. Also featuring a food village of handpicked artisan suppliers whose products complement the tea and coffee drinking experience, the Dublin Coffee and Tea Festival takes place in the RDS from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September. Further details and tickets at www.dublincoffeefestival.com
To Incubate: The Newmarket Kitchen
Getting a new food business up and running can be both daunting and expensive, so we were interested to hear about the Newmarket Kitchen, an initiative supporting small-scale caterers and food producers getting their businesses off the ground. Set up by Shane Bonner, the commercial kitchen and incubator unit aims to make things easier for food start-ups by reducing normal business setup costs, enabling them to focus on quality food production and brand development. Located just off the M50, the Newmarket Kitchen is currently home to a number of food start-ups and also helps members build a collaborative peer-network. For more see www.newmarketkitchen.com
To Eat: Raw Vibrant Nutrition Balls from Cracked Nut
For those interested in swapping a bar of chocolate for something healthier, things just got even easier. Kelda Clermont and Nikki Carruthers, the siblings behind uber-healthy Cracked Nut on Camden Street have developed Raw Vibrant Nutrition Balls. Made entirely from clean, natural ingredients and packed full of super-foods, these nutritional balls of joy are gluten free, dairy free and vegan. Available in Matcha Orange, Spirulina Lemon, Goji Coconut and Cacao Chia flavours, they can now be sourced from Supervalu Food Academy Stores around Dublin as well as from the mother ship at Cracked Nut 71 Camden St, D2.
To Meat: Sett Food Club at the South William
If you thought the days of good quality burgers and fries for a fiver were well and truly behind us, think again. The guys behind Sett Food are now serving up a heady selection of meaty delights from their new home in the kitchen of the South William. Specialities include their original pesto chicken wings, succulent venison and decadent servings of triple-fried chips. With food available from noon, the fabled Sett Burger and fries will set you back a mere fiver between 12pm and 1pm.
Sett Food@ the South William 52 South William Street Dublin 2.
Words: Martina Murray