My Weekend: 'It's really nice to be invited to someone's home for dinner'

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work:

I have been working in kitchens since I was 13. My parents were in hospitality during my childhood. My dad is a chef, my mam worked FOH.

I grew up in Oliver Bond flats in Dublin, and moved to Ballinasloe in Galway when I was 6 years old.

I worked in hotels and bars in the town throughout my teenage years.

I moved to Galway when I was 17 to study Culinary Arts in GMIT, then to Cork at 19 to complete my placement. That was 22 years ago.

I have two amazing children; Evan (21) and Seren (15).

I have spent many years working in the city, leading some incredible kitchens, and working with a lot of very inspirational people; six years at Nash 19, four and a half years in Market Lane, and I’m currently heading into my seventh year at Farmgate.

This year, I’m collaborating with chefs I’ve worked with and admire for the Cork on a Fork Festival.

It’s exciting to be cooking with two inspiring chefs, Joe Quane, Aalta and Stephen Cronin, Cush for a delicious dinner at Farmgate Cafe.

I’m also involved in the inaugural dinner around the fountain with Aisling Moore, Goldie, and Harrison Sharpe, Elbow. They are amazing chefs, people and collaborators.

And as if the week wasn’t busy enough, I’m doing a lunch and dinner with my friend Chris Bragaza, aka Spice Genie, at Glenbrook Pig Farm in collaboration with the wonderful Peter and Kate, partnering with Brian’s Wines and Maharani Gin.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? Friday nights are spent relaxing, usually after a busy day at work. A quick pint after work and a very simple dinner, often a takeaway. Fish and chips from Leger’s takeaway in Mahon comes with my strong recommendation.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

I am always up early, whether I’m working or have a day off. I like to be up around 5:30am, but with the brighter summer mornings, it’s more like 4:30 am.

It’s the most enjoyable time to have a coffee.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I work on Saturdays, it’s the busiest day of the week usually, but we finish before 5pm, so the weekend really starts. Sunday is a day to spend at home, or close by.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

A simple walk down by Blackrock village, along the water, in either direction, towards town or passing the Castle, is always a great place to clear the cobwebs, plenty of lovely stop-offs for coffee too.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

It changes all the time, but loving the idea of Monaco for the weekend of the Formula One, lots of eating and drinking, and a good rock concert nearby, with my two children.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Of course! Who doesn’t? But at this stage of my life, it’s all pretty chill. A walk, a drink, and a long lunch is the perfect way to spend a day off at the weekend.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I love reading, cycling and really love music. Live music is one of my hobbies. Lining up some more concerts as we speak.

Collaborating with others in the hospitality industry is also something I love to do.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

I love both to be honest. It’s really nice to be invited to someone’s home and eat food they’ve put so much effort into. A real joy.

Depending on the time of year, big sharing salads, fresh seafood, and beef platters in the summer with some beers. And darker days call for a cosy casserole, creamy potatoes and red wine, with a nice Irish coffee to finish.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork - where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

I love Orso and Goldie in the centre, great food and wine.

Probys Kitchen also has really great food and service.

Great coffee in the Bookshelf and Three Fools.

Sunday night comes around too fast.. how do you normally spend it?

Chilling on the coach after a nice dinner and all the uniforms ready for the following week. Peak mam mode.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

Alarm is set for 5:40, but I’m usually awake before that.

Anything else you are up to right now?

I’m doing a lot of preparations for my three Cork on a Fork pop-ups.

I’m excited to be working with so many excellent, accomplished, and innovative cooks. I will learn so much.

I’m also in the process of collaborating with JJ Healy, lecturer at MTU, responsible for the ‘Open Door’ Cork Prison dinner, which has inmates cook a three course dinner for potential employers of inmates upon release. We are looking at two community projects on the northside of the city where we will volunteer our time and skills to help the women involved in prisoners’ lives to upskill.

The energy JJ has on palpable, and I’m sure more people will get involved as time goes on.

• As part of Cork on a Fork Fest, which takes place from August 13 to 17, Pamela Kelly of Farmgate Café, will join two fellow Cork chefs for Supper by the Fountain. For the first time ever, the ground floor of Cork City’s historic English Market will be transformed into a stunning dining space for this festival headline event, with the three chefs collaborating on a specially designed menu that puts the English Market’s rich array of local produce centre stage. See www.corkonaforkfest.ie.