I hate to say it, but it's never too early to get those online Christmas orders in. The only issue with having one of the new range of hampers from the Lismore Food Co in the house ahead of the festive season will be the constant temptation to tuck in to the goodies swaddled in tissue paper in the stylish orange hatbox.
The company has added 26 new artisan food products to its range, including an all-butter panettone made in the Veneto; chocolate caramelised hazelnuts using hazelnuts from Piedmont, and two foil wrapped chocolate bars – one made with beans from women-led small organic holdings in the Semuliki Forest, in Uganda.
The are 16 new additions to the range of hampers, called after famous people who were either from the Co Waterford town or visitors to it, including the Mitford, the Thackeray and the Carnegie. Prices for the hatboxes start at €65, plus shipping, and there are vegan and gluten-free options. Delivery is available worldwide, by courier. See thelismorefoodcompany.com.
Ballymaloe Craft Fair
The fair returns to The Grainstore at Ballymaloe House in Shanagarry, Co Cork, over two weekends in November. On the 19th to 21st and 26th to 28th of the month, more than 150 stalls will be set up, selling food, drinks, art and crafts. Friday openings will be from 5-9pm, with Saturday and Sunday hours of 10am-5pm. Admission is €6 with children under 12 years free of charge.
Native Irish honey
Boyne Valley Honey has launched an Irish Wildflower Honey, made with honey sourced from Irish beekeepers from all four provinces. The honey is harvested from bees that have gathered pollen from native Irish wildflowers. According to the company, this includes rapeseed, clover, white clover, meadow sweet, honeywort, raspberry, willow herb (from the evening primrose family), thistle, fruit blossom, honey locust, dogwood, maple and chestnut. The honey is is available nationwide, with a recommended retail price of €5.99.
Geese & Game
It is peak season for game and enthusiasts can enjoy a Geese & Game menu at Wilde restaurant at The Westbury hotel in Dublin 2, until the end of November. The Geese in the title refers to the so-called Irish wine geese, from the modern era as well as those who flocked to Bordeaux in the 17th century. So there will be wines made in Burgundy by master of wine Róisín Curley, whose first vintage was produced in 2015, served alongside Château Léoville Barton which has been producing wine in Bordeaux since 1826. Flights of three wines from both will be available for €50. The game menu will include wild Irish venison and pheasant. See wilde.ie.
