Compiled by Marie-Claire Digby.
Try before you buy
Nothing says "hang the expense, we're worth it, kitchen makeover" more than the ubiquitous built-in cappuccino machine, and a bank of ovens arranged in a pleasingly symmetrical line-up. Aesthetics play a big part in our purchasing patterns when it comes to kitchen appliances, but performance is what really matters, and customers can now test drive the oven/hob/dishwasher they're interested in at the new 5,000sq ft Miele Gallery in Dublin 24. Cookery demonstrations, and post-purchase classes will also be offered.
"We want people to get the most out of their appliances," says marketing manager Caroline Fleming.
Larger size single ovens, such as Miele's 60cm version which has a 66-litre capacity and accommodates five trays, and "Domino" countertop cooking appliances, which can incorporate tappanyaki plates, barbecues, woks and grills as well as standard hobs, are what people are buying now, according to Fleming.
A no-expense-spared line-up of induction wok, salamander grill, two-ring induction hob, teppanyaki plate and barbecue grill on your countertop will set you back in the region of €6,500. And that iconic built-in coffee machine? Like everything else, it has had a makeover and now comes in a "bean-to-cup" version that delivers a perfect, frothy cappuccino or latte at the touch of a button. The Miele Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm by appointment (tel: 01-4610710). Saturday and late-night Thursday opening will follow at a later date.
FESTIVAL FEVER
The Dingle Food and Wine Festival is in full swing in Kerry this weekend, continuing until tomorrow. The results of the inaugural National Irish Food Awards will be revealed tomorrow evening in Benner's Hotel (www.dinglefood.com). Next weekend the culinary spotlight shines on Kinsale, where the International Gourmet Festival runs on Friday to Sunday (www.kinsale.ie), and during the Bank Holiday weekend, October 24th-27th), the best that Kilkenny has to offer will be celebrated at Savour Kilkenny Gourmet Festival (www.savourkilkenny.com).
No garden? No problem
Have you ever wanted to grow your own vegetables, but don't have either the land or the know-how? The dynamic Jenny Young (below), who, with her husband Peter runs Castlefarm, a 170-acre organic dairy farm and farm shop near Athy, Co Kildare, is offering ploughed and rotated organic allotments to would-be growers. The additional attraction is a course of tuition and hands-on advice from Carlow-based experts Grace Maher and Paula Pender.
The allotments will be 5 metres by 6 metres, which Young reckons is "a manageable area that can reap lot of harvest". The cost of the allotment and the tuition will be 350 per year, and the initial course will get under way next February. If your greenfingers are itching to get started, you can visit the farm during one of the monthly farm walks the couple organise, and pick your spot on which to cultivate bountiful crops that will save you a fortune in greengrocer or supermarket bills. See www.castlefarm.ie or call Jenny Young on 087-6785269.
Autumn flavours
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is no charge to attend a cookery demonstration to be given at Drumm's kitchen showroom in Dublin next Saturday (October 11th) by Aine Maguire, who was the original head chef at Dublin restaurant The Winding Stair. "Field to Fork, A Flavour of Autumn", is Maguire's theme, and the menu she will be cooking features Gubeen chorizo and mussel chowder; wild mushrooms and sausage in puff pastry, chicken and root vegetable casserole, rack of lamb with herb and olive crust with carrot and cumin bake, and pumpkin pie.
The demonstration will run from 11am to 1.30pm, and two tickets per person are available by e-mailing aine@drumms.ie. The venue is 15, Western Industrial Estate, Naas Road, Dublin 12.