Mayo chef competing in All-Ireland chowder cook-off

JUST a stone’s throw from Croagh Patrick, The Tavern, Murrisk, Westport, is celebrating its Wild Atlantic Way location with two different gastronomic events.

The Tavern is the Mayo champion in the All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off this weekend and then The Tavern Lobster Festival takes place on the May bank holiday weekend.

Myles O’Brien, who is a Euro Toques chef, currently holds the Mayo chowder title and will represent the county at the sixth annual All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off 2016 in Kinsale, Co. Cork, this Saturday (April 23).

The chowder cook-off is the highlight of a two-day food festival hosted by the town's Good Food Circle. Kinsale’s streets and quays will be taken over by the Taste the Wild Atlantic Way Street Food Festival, an open-air street market with food stalls, live music and family fun.

For €15, the public will be given a card entitling them to sample each chowder, and then vote for the winner. The All-Ireland chowder champion 2016 not only receives a trophy but also travels to Newport, Rhode Island (Kinsale's twin town), next summer as a guest chef.

As with all inter-county challenges, the chowder crown is hotly contested. Myles will be going all out to beat the competition and do Mayo proud.

The annual Tavern Lobster Festival takes place in Murrisk from Friday to Monday, April 29 to May 2, throughout the May bank holiday weekend. The lobster theme takes over for the holiday weekend with lobster festival competitions and giveaways, music and, of course, lots of lobster specials.

Myles has created a series of signature dishes, including a mouth watering surf 'n' turf featuring lobster and fillet steak, lobster risotto and the time honoured classic, lobster thermidor. The lobsters come fresh from the tank and are all guaranteed local.

Keep an eye on the Tavern’s Facebook page for some cheeky chowder cook-off and lively lobster festival competitions.