MARY WALSH’S CHICKEN

Over the last year there has been much in the news of chicken and its origin. After a recent visit to Kilkenny we came across Mary Walsh and her husband Tony. Their farm is situated just outside Kilkenny on the Callan Road. Mary breeds Hubbard Chickens indoors for about three weeks until they are feathered. They roam free outside until they are 10/11 weeks old and are then ready for delivery.

Mary has just started her business and their farm is small one so her chickens may not feature on the menu everyday, but when Tuesday comes around and Mary and Tony arrive with our delivery, it is indeed a very special week! Whether it’s the breast roasted with Honey roast parsnips or chicken, leek and tarragon pie, or the wings and neck that make a wonderful broth, it surely is chicken as it should be.

SPRINGTIME

So as we say goodbye to the root vegetables, blood orange jellies and the Yorkshire Triangle Forced Rhubarb, we look forward to the new season garden vegetables…peas, broad beans, English Asparagus and baby spinach .We will, as usual, be working very close with Denis Healy from the Organic Market and Alan Mc Govern of Newfresh to ensure the best.

We congratulate the growers of Forced Yorkshire Rhubarb this year as they join the hallowed ranks of Champagne, Parma Ham, Roquefort Cheese and Kalamata Olives on the EU’s list of protected foods as they receive their Protected Geographical Status.(GPI). The decision means that no producers of Rhubarb grown outside the West Yorkshire triangle between Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield will be able to claim the designation. We have so enjoyed this wonderful product, allbeit a short season and can’t wait for next year !