Local food heroes supporting local charities

Rotary Club of Waterford presents an evening with the award winning Dungarvan chef Paul Flynn of the Tannery Restaurant and local MasterChef winner Mary Carney, returning to Waterford publicly for the first time since winning the inaugural MasterChef Ireland on RTE. This exciting event will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday November 30^th at the Tourism and Leisure Building WIT, Cork Road.

Mary Carney grew up in Waterford City as the youngest in a family of five children and food has always been a huge part of her life. Her mother ensured that the kitchen was where everyone wanted to be. She involved the entire family in the preparation of meals so cooking has always been second nature to her. Of course Mary’s family has a long tradition in the food industry in Waterford, her grandmother being a Flahavan of Kilmacthomas.

Mary spent her college years in Dublin and it was there that she met her husband Mike - a fellow Waterford man - who shared her passion for food.

Then, this year she entered MasterChef Ireland and had the great fortune of winning the title. After winning she decided to pursue a career in the food industry full time.

Paul Flynn, renowned chef is proprietor of the Tannery Restaurant. The Tannery Restaurant is located in Dungarvan and has long been regarded as one of Ireland's leading restaurants. In 2005 the boutique style Tannery Townhouse was also opened and just a few years later the Tannery Cookery School featuring a state of the art demonstration kitchen with further adjacent guest accommodation was added to Paul and Maire Flynn’s culinary offering.

Paul Flynn is regarded as one of the foremost Irish chefs, cooking exciting and modern Irish food. The Tannery Cookery School reflects his cooking ethos with cookery courses for everyone from the amateur home cook to the more adventurous cook and even those who might want to cook for a living.

Both chefs are passionate about Waterford and as such were delighted when given the opportunity to cook together in the renowned facilities at WIT. The evening will include some useful culinary tips for the festive season.

Mrs. Kathleen Fitzgerald President of the Rotary Club of Waterford said, “The Rotary Club of Waterford is so proud to present this event. Two of Waterford’s best exports offering their time and talent for local charities is such an exciting prospect.”

Benefiting local charities include the Camphill Community in Ballytobin and the Simon Community in Waterford.

This is strictly a ticket only event and priced at just €25 tickets can be bought from Nolke Opticians at Ardkeen and David M Breen & Co, Chartered Accountants (Ph 051-875222) and Lily O’Brien’s Chocolate Café in Georges Court.