I came across Tom years ago when I read about a guy based in Thomastown who had set up a digital wallpaper business.
This photo courtesy of Blanaid Hennessy
In his new life he launched the Secret Recipe Co at foodcamp last October and wearing that hat you can see him tomorrow evening on Dragons Den. More detail in Tom’s blog post here.
Photo courtesy of Ken McGuire
Keith
One of the things I enjoyed the most in 2010 was being part of Ireland’s first foodcamp which was held during the Savour Kilkenny event. A foodcamp is a day in which at least 3 sets of speakers run concurrently and where those speakers come from the audience – so foodies, food producers, bloggers or whomever can choose to share their thoughts and experiences with others.
The second one is happening as part of the Waterford Festival of Food which happens in Dungarvan from 15th to 17th April 2011. It will include a panel discussion with Ella McSweeney (RTE), Jim Power (Love Irish Food), Eileen Bently (Bord Bia) and more. Claire Dalton from the Dungarvan Brewing Co is the driving force behind No2.
The above photo shows the crowd gathered around the lunch table at the Kilkenny foodcamp – which was empty at the beginning of the day and then rapidly filled by food producers, chefs and food bloggers with an amazing variety of dishes and at least 2 food products which were launched to the public on that day.
I will be there and look forward to seeing you too 🙂
Keith
I have seen their workshops mentioned on Facebook a couple of times but never had a chance to visit their premises close to Tullow until yesterday. Mentioned them briefly here just before Christmas when they had a pop-up shop in Kilkenny.
Jim and Mary Healy have been working on the Chocolate Garden brand for years now and when I last spoke to them a couple of years ago they were finalising their plans to move into a new production premises and visitor centre behind their home and beside Rathwood garden Centre.
What an amazing range of products – and the chance to attend chocolate making workshops as well! These chocolate lolly’s caught my eye, as did the chocolate fountain. A lot classier than some I have seen!
If you are traveling close to Carlow check them out.
keith
Marion in Spelt for Choice ran a competition recently on her Facebook page and I managed to win a really packed hamper of her products.
This is the one we started with – the Oatie Mix. All organic ingredients bar the bicarb of soda.
We substituted Organic Orchard Syrup for the honey suggested and ended up with really good oat flapjacks 🙂
Keep an eye out for this brand – especially if you know someone who needs wheat alternatives in their diets.
Keith
My first post on this brand was on the 5th November following a great conversation and tasting with them during Savour Kilkenny. Since then I have been lucky enough to start doing some work with them on a web project and I am really enjoying their approach to and passion for the business.
One of the things they shared with me recently was a new version of their labelling – which is already ultra-sharp.
As you can see (and I will try to do a fuller post with their input to do this justice) the new labels which you can see 3 of here encompass:
And on the subject of the special offer the Organic Supermarket are running a 20% off offer on some of their products right now:
Click on the images above to be brought to the relevant pages on the Organic Supermarket site. An opportunity to try one of these for the first time and see just how delicious they are (I have the Irish Garden Herb oil and it is superb).
Keith
biabeag (small food) 