I am delighted to be penning several  articles for the LCN Licensed & Catering News. First published in 1940, LCN magazine, as it has fondly become known, is regarded by many of its readers as the ‘Bible’ of the licensed and catering trade. The business newspaper for the hospitality industry, LCN is a firm favourite with publicans, hoteliers, restaurateurs and indeed everyone associated with this important industry. Second article above was about food costing, gross profits & the vital role that it plays in a profitable hospitality & catering business. Gross profit is a measure of how your business is performing. It is the profit made on food sales before any overheads are deducted. Your menu should work on an average food cost of thirty percent which will give you a gross profit percentage of seventy percent. Inadequate cost control is the number one factor contributing to food businesses failing. Look out for my next article in the May edition

 

The Start of the 2012 Wild Mushroom Season? A False start!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was with great gusto last Sunday I went on my first wild mushroom forage of 2012 -ruck sack packed with my flask of hot coffee, a tub of borlotti bean salad & crusty bread ( you need sustenance for foraging & i don’t do slumming when it comes to foraging fuel!). Water proof gear to the hilt my thermal lined Donegal weather proof trousers & my trusty expert companions in tow ” Charlie the Stray & Sasha” – my two terriers!  My mushroom of choice on this forage was ” Morel” mushrooms – they are the jewel in the crown of culinary mushrooms. Ask any chef about these mushrooms & they go weak at the knees (with excitement) at the thought of cooking with them, equally restaurant owners go weak at the knees at the thought of buying them. Per kg fresh morels can cost upwards of €75 plus.  Morels grow over a very short season in these neck of the woods, around 3 weeks. I normally find them in woodlands in broad leaf & coniferous areas &  in solitary formations rather than in small groups. I rummaged around in the forest floor, strayed onto the adjoining fields & nearly went crossed eye straining to find my morels –  after 3 hours I called it quits! Not a morel to be had – the chill in the air & cold rain just isn’t the weather for morels. Weather & temperature permitting I will try this weekend. Also hope to find some ” St George” mushrooms from mid May onwards – watch this space