I’ve always been a huge fan of Neven. Anyone who can run a successful restaurant in the middle of nowhere in rural Cavan gets my vote. His energy is always fantastic too. This new show is ok but nothing amazing.
I’m surprised to see cookery programmes still being made that refer to “dinner parties”. Does anyone still have those?
His three dishes in the opening episode were asparagus and smoked salmon tartlet, confit duck and a tiramsu variant.
Whilst I loved the look of the first dish, it seems a bit ridiculous to have an asparagus recipe in January. Or a salad with Nasturtium flowers whilst we’re on the subject. Have the producers of the programme missed every single Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall espisode ever made? Where did the idea of seasonal produce go?
The trip to the organic egg farm was enlightening and provided another one of those interesting tid-bits. The farmer supplies most of his eggs to Lidl and Aldi. Weird then that most of the organic eggs in those shops in Cork seem to have either UK or German markings on them.
The confit duck looked gorgeous but I’d love to know how much the average punter would have to pay for a few litres of duck fat. I think I’ll stick with the canned one like most French people do.
The show has great potential given the presenter involved but it doesn’t feel fully formed or thought out. The show that RTE needs to make, that would become legendary, is to have Darina do one based on her new book. Show people how to cook lovely food frugally. “Feed your family for a tenner a day” or something. Review of that book coming soon. Summary: One of the top ten cook books of all time.
Neven is on RTÉ One, Thursday, 8.30pm.
January 12, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I see santa brought you a copy of Darina’s book so
Didn’t see Neven’s show yet but I, too, would be all for a show based on Darina’a latest – it’s fabulous, as is the woman herself.
January 12, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Big Sis got it for me. Honestly, I think Darina has written a masterpiece and I’ve barely got started on it.
January 12, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I just got Darina’s book in the post yesterday. It is AMAZING isn’t it!? She has it right with her belief in seasonal eating. I mean, where could you actually find Nasturtiums in January, unless you pluck them out of a table centerpiece at a fancy restaurant?! Seasonal is always fresher, more reasonably priced and ALWAYS tastes superior. Can’t wait for your review…..
January 30, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I’ve been watching the series as well and it is disappointing. Seems to be more geared towards advertising Mr. Nevin and his restaurant than it’s stated aim of teaching people to chef at home. The presentation is very lacklustre and nobody is going to learn to be a chef watching it. Generally quantities are not given in the programmes and with only three recipes available on the website anyone who wants to try the recipes from the show would be forced to buy the book as well.
January 30, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I’ve watched a few more episodes and my opinion hasn’t really changed. The editing is atrocious too with constant repetition of “I will do X” “I am doing X” “I did X”.
There is a great TV series somewhere inside Neven. It just needs the right people to get it out of him.
February 11, 2010 at 11:09 pm
If you would would like some duck fat (actually smoked duck fat) let me know!
Bit late commenting on this post, but having just watched tonight’s episode, I was a little saddened to see Neven at the pig farm looking at piglets that will never feel earth between their trotters or will never go rooting up the soil with their snouts.
Maybe our wonderful experience last year with Ping and Pong, two Gloucester Old Spots, have effected me more than I thought!
February 12, 2010 at 6:51 am
That’s something I’ve wondered about recently. Why is it that we sell Irish beef on the whole “green pastures” idea yet we think it’s OK to rear pigs and chickens in frankly horrible conditions.
Particularly considering that pigs are at least 10x smarter than cows.
And following that through, it is now pretty easy to buy free range or organic chicken in supermarkets but I never see free range or organic pork (only bacon). No demand? I’d definitely pay more for free-range (not necessarily organic) pork with some fat and taste on it.
Thanks for the duck fat offer! Neighbour gave me some recently. Haven’t had a chance to use as I’ve done a massive reduction in carbs so no roast spuds.
March 4, 2010 at 10:35 am
I agree about Nevens show. The fundamental problem, I feel is that the show does not have a clear vision. It is called home chef, but the recipes are very restaurant-y and not aimed at the home cook. Neven was always great on RTE afternoon shows, because he was clear what he was doing – showing people recipes they could do at home. It was live and he was very natural. He is stilted and not relaxed in the current series.
I say – bring back Neven showing Marty Whelan how to make good value Irish dinners at 3pm.