All-Ireland chowder cook-off

Kinsale Good Food Circle wants your help to find the best chowder chef in Ireland. A representative from each of the 32 counties will compete for the title of All-Ireland Chowder Champion at the annual All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off 2014.

This year’s event will take place at Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale, on Sunday, 13 April, from 2pm to 4pm. It will feature 32 professional restaurant chefs, fishermen and makers of commercial chowders.

The cook-off is the highlight of a two-day Family Festival that will take over the streets of Kinsale on Saturday and Sunday, 12-13 April. There will be an open-air street market, with food stalls and family fun all over. Local and visiting food businesses will offer samples and take-home food for under €5.

Members of the public will be the judges in the chowder cook-off. Everyone will be given a voting card at the entrance and this entitles them to sample all chowders from the individual stalls, before casting their vote.

Tickets are only €10 each and are available at the door. The winning chef will receive a trophy and will be invited to take part in the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, Rhode Island, next summer.

The 2013 winners, The West Bar, Westport, Co Mayo, will represent Ireland in the Rhode Island competition in June and will be returning to Kinsale again this year to defend their title.

Healthy takeaway at Mulberry’s restaurant

Mulberry’s restaurant and wine bar in Barna, Co Galway, launched their Healthier Lifestyles Takeaway Menu last November.

Since then, the volume of takeaways has greatly increased and many people are now choosing the healthier option.

Selling pastas, roast chicken and fish and chips, this family-run restaurant has received many awards, including the Best Casual Dining, Connacht, award in the Irish Restaurant Awards 2012; Georgina Campbell Award 2013; and Lucinda O’Sullivan Award 2013.For bookings or more information, email info@mulberrys.ie or call 091-592123.

Hop on board at Rathwood

Hop on board at Rathwood for Ireland’s largest Easter eggs-travaganza

Over 10,000 people are expected to visit Rathwood’s Easter train over the season, which will run from 12-21 April. Tickets are on sale now.

The Easter train will see children and adults hop on board the Rathwood express for a magical one-hour experience. Visitors will journey through the enchanted forest and help the Easter bunny on his quest for Easter eggs.

Along the way, children will encounter a host of magical characters from much-loved fairytales including Humpty Dumpty among many others. The magical train will pull into its final stop where the children will be treated to a wonderful tea party with the Mad Hatter and some of his other zany friends.

Rathwood, founded in 1994, is celebrating 20 years in business this year. Just 40 minutes from Dublin, Rathwood is a leading destination and activity store, housing clothing boutiques for men, ladies and children, as well as gifts, homeware, handcrafted furniture, an extensive garden centre, a falconry attraction and its popular Rathwood train attraction. Visitors can also enjoy delicious dining at Rathwood Restaurant.

Tickets cost €10 for children, €5 for adults and babies under 12 months go free. See www.rathwood.com for more info.