Letterkenny-based chef Chris Molloy will fly the flag for Donegal’s famous seafood chowder this weekend, when he heads to Kinsale to represent the county in the 7th All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off.
Chris, from the family-owned Lemon Tree restaurant, won the Donegal Chowder competition at the Hooked Festival in Killybegs last August and heads to Kinsale on April 9th to join over 30 professional chefs, fishermen and makers of commercial chowder in a bid to be crowned All-Ireland Chowder Champion.
Chris and the team won the public vote with their winning chowder, which they complemented with breads made featuring local craft beer.
Donegal has previously tasted success at national level, with Kieran Duey Doherty from Nancy’s Barn bringing home the prestigious title to the county last year.
The famous victory means that Kieran will now go to Rhode Island to take part in the Word Chowder Cook off on 9th June.
The Ballyliffin-based chef is a member of The Food Coast Network and is under no illusions about the benefits that brings.
He said: “It’s a great support for anyone working in a food related business in the county and it encourages businesses to collaborate and work towards a common goal of making Donegal famous for good food. Events like the All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off are great fun, but they also have a serious role to play in helping us share Donegal’s food story with a wider audience and I feel honoured to be able to do that now when I travel to Rhode Island.”
Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise at Donegal’s LEO says The Food Coast is about helping businesses work together to highlight the developing food culture in the county.
He said: “The Food Coast Initiative gives new and existing food businesses in Donegal the opportunity to connect with fellow businesses while building the profile of Donegal.
“The ambition for the Local Enterprise Office is to encourage new food start-ups and the development of established businesses. We already have a strong network of businesses on board and we’re inviting anyone with an interest in the county’s food sector to join, from start-up businesses to established primary producers, farmers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs.”
Describing both Chris Molloy and Kieran as “great ambassadors for Donegal food,” Michael took the opportunity to wish good luck to both on behalf of all the Local Enterprise Office team in Donegal.
Meanwhile, local chefs keen to get in on the action, can start practicing for the 2017 Donegal Chowder Cook-Off regional heat, which takes place on Saturday September 2 as part of the Hooked Maritime Festival in Killybegs. The winner will go to Kinsale in 2018 to represent Donegal.
