Food file

Compiled by MARIE-CLAIRE DIGBY

Come into my garden . . .

Some gardeners say potatoes should be sown by St Patrick's Day, but participants in next weekend's potato-planting weekend at Rathmullan House in may get a special dispensation. More than 50 varieties of potato will be planted in the walled garden at the country house hotel on the shores of Lough Swilly, including rare and lesser known varieties. Those taking part will learn about sowing first early, second early, and main crop potatoes from seed from Rathmullan gardener Joe Whelan. They will also be given some of the rare varieties to take home and plant in their own gardens. There will also be a follow-up weekend, at which the harvest will be celebrated. Kelan McMichael, head chef (right), will be creating potato-themed menus, and the weekend package of two nights' BB and one dinner costs €180pps. See rathmullanhouse.com, tel: 074-9158188.

The buzz Top food tweets . . .

Sheridans @SheridansCheese: Packs of fantastic Irish foods assembled in our Meath HQ winging their way to embassies around the globe for Paddys Day from@Bordbia

Christine OSullivan @Christine_OSull: Just won International cook-off in Newport RI! Great trip and great chefs out here. Bringing home the title!

Michele Humes @michelehumes: I like the German fat lexicon: huftgold (hip gold) for love handles, and kummerspeck (grief bacon) for lbs gained from emotional eating

Top potato peelers, mashers, and ricers

Zyliss peelers are widely available, and cost around a tenner, so you won’t get too upset when you accidentally throw one out with the peelings. The red serrated blade peeler is in tended for use with soft fruits, but it actually works brilliantly on potatoes, removing less flesh along with the skin. The rosewood, brass and stainless steel peelerht) by La Cornue is almost too beautiful to put into use. It’s available from divertimenti.co.uk (£41.85, approx €50).

The horizontal handle and squat shape of the OXO Good Grips masher makes it a highly effective tool. From homestore + more (€16). The Spudski masher by Black and Blum is based on ski pole design, and costs €15 from Carlow-based home interiors and gifts website garrendennylane.com

This Bron mandoline will allow you to shave potatoes into wafer thin slices for gratins. It costs €202 and is available from  Brennan Catering Supplies in Waterford.Orders over €100 delivered free of charge in Ireland. See brennancateringsupplies.ie

Lots of people swear by ricers for making ultra-smooth mash. This design, from M&S, comes in two sizes and costs €13, or €17.50 for the large version.