Donegal man Tommy Martin is the final celebrity taking on the HeadChef Challenge in Virgin Media One’s ‘The Restaurant’ tomorrow night (Thurs).
The final episode of the new series of ‘The Restaurant’ with Marco Pierre White and Rachel Allen airs on Virgin Media One at 9pm.
This week it’s the Annagry man’s turn to take on our Head Chef Challenge.
Tommy, who’s a sports presenter and columnist, is a Donegal man with Italian blood.
His Italian grandmother fed the family in the best traditions of Italy and Ireland, encouraging her extended brood to enjoy pasta as well as potatoes, so naturally, Tommy’s menu has an Italian influence.
Tommy and the crew from The Restaurant including Ramelton chef Gary O’Hanlon.
For starters, Tommy made Lobster & Greencastle Crab Bisque with Scallops & Langoustine, honouring his home county of Donegal.
For mains, Tommy served Duck Confit with Gratin Dauphinoise & Irish Purple Sprouting Broccoli. Sadly, the dish didn’t go down well with the critics, Rachel Allen found the duck “lovely and tender, but a bit unimaginative”.
The second main course was Loin of Lamb with Salsa Verde & Caponata that went down well with Marco, who commented, “I like big flavours, and this ticks all the boxes for me”.
For desserts, Tommy served, a Pistachio & Almond Cake with Lemon Ripple Ice Cream. The cake recipe came from Tommy’s wife Catriona.
And the second dessert, Chocolate Bombe with Strawberry Ice Cream & Hot Chocolate Sauce, was from a happy family holiday in France and Tommy’s two children; Isla and James who just loved it. Sadly, the bomb did not ignite the Critics’ table. Marco commented “I don’t think I can eat this”.
The Restaurant is hosted in Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill Donnybrook.
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