FOOD lovers are turning back the clock and preparing for the sumptuous ‘Long Table Dinner’ feast which sees the Tipperary Food Producers group tantalize the taste buds of gourmets nation-wide for this year’s banquet on August 25.
Organisers of the ‘Long Table Dinner’ gathered at the foot of the Rock of Cashel today (Wednesday, July 14), otherwise known as the ‘Seat of the Kings of Munster’, to launch the upcoming mouth-watering banquet to beat all feasts. Diners will be transported back 1,500 years for the Long Table dinner which takes place this year as part of National Heritage Week and runs in four locations across Tipperary.
In keeping with custom, only food from Tipperary will be served at the traditional feast. Fresh, seasonal produce from over 30 food producers – all members of the Tipperary Food Producers Network – will be used. The custom created menu will read like a journey around Tipperary, combining the very best artisan food from throughout the county.
The event is the brainchild of Pat Whelan of the award winning James Whelan Butchers in Clonmel and Chairperson of the Tipperary Food Producers group. Pat wants to showcase the very best in Tipperary food by creating an entire meal using only food produced and created within the county.
“We are delighted to be launching the third annual Long Table Dinner of Tipperary. It is great that this year the dinner will take place across four locations in the county, really giving everyone the opportunity to experience the traditional feast.
“This is an opportunity to recognise and showcase all that Tipperary produces. I think everyone will be amazed at the fantastic meal that will be prepared from Tipperary food. Tipperary is a county name that is renowned internationally as is the Rock of Cashel; we are building on this heritage and prestige and bringing the finest of Tipperary produce to the fore. This is very much a team effort and it is incredible to see what can happen when people work together.” Pat added.
The Long Table Dinner will incorporate a very futuristic element this year as Tipperary Institute will be working with the organisers by filming the ‘Long Table Dinner’ at all four locations, fusing the most up to date technology with the indigenous food production industry therefore creating the longest virtual table worldwide. This unique production will be available for viewing on www.tipperaryfoodproducers.com
The ‘Long Table Dinner’ will take place across four strategic locations around the county. In Nenagh the Long Table Dinner will take place at award winning restaurant ‘Broca on the Water’ in Kilgarvan Quay, Ballinderry overseen by Chef Ann Gernon. In Thurles the Long Table Dinner will take place at the award winning ‘Inch House’ overseen by the Head Chef Michael Galvin. In Cashel ‘Chez Hans’ will host the event where dinner will be prepared by award winning Chef Jason Matthiae and in Clogheen the Long Table Dinner will take place at ‘The Old Convent Restaurant’ with preparation by award winning Chef Dermot Gannon. Dinner will commence in all four locations at 7.30pm on the evening of August 25, 2010.
A unique booklet will be produced for the event – so guest can choose the venue by menu – this booklet will be available to view on www.tipperaryfoodproducers.com. Tickets for each venue will be available from James Whelan Butchers in Clonmel on (052) 6182477 and at the four Long Table Dinner locations or from any member of the Tipperary Food Producers, please see www.tipperaryfoodproducers.com for full listing.
