
5 Minutes With… Clodagh McKenna
Fri Jul 11 2014

Clodagh McKenna is one busy lady. With two restaurants on the go, a new menu on board Aer Lingus flights and cookbooks and tv shows in the works, this Cork native knows that ultimately, organisation is key. She took a few minutes out of her day to tell us all about how she makes it work.
What is your very first food memory?
Eating wild mussels in Lahinch County Clare that my Dad gathered and cooked in herbs and garlic. I was about 10 years old.
As a champion of Irish produce, what three Irish products would you not be without, and why?
Oh that’s a hard one as there’s so many! Gubbeen Farm for their cheese, bacon & ham; Glenilen Farm for their butter that we use in Clodagh’s Kitchen & their desserts that I’m looking at putting on the transatlantic flights on Aer Lingus; and Butlers Organic Egg Farm for their amazing eggs that we use in Clodagh’s Kitchen.
If you could only cook one of your recipes again, what would it be, and why?
Another tough question but a good one 🙂 as I like to cook seasonally it would have to be something summery… I think my Pesto Ricotta Tart from my Homemade Cook Book and why? Because it takes so good!
You have diversified your brand so much over the last number of years; what has been your most exciting achievement to date?
Being able to manage my time so that I can spend time with my family… It’s number one for me.
What is in your fridge right now and what are you cooking for dinner tonight?
Just popping my head in there now! Irish farmhouse cheeses, organic eggs, Gubbeen chorizo, salad greens, about a million chutneys! Ummera smoked salmon, avocados, pestos etc. I’m cooking lobster rolls tonight as it’s a special on our menu in Clodagh’s Kitchen Blackrock starting next week, and I want to perfect the recipe.
What are your three top tips for cooking like a pro, at home?
Get good knives, stock up your store cupboard with spices, vinegars and oils, organise your cooking utensils drawer, make a weekly dinner plan. Basically get as organised as you can to make cooking a pleasure and not a chore.
Want more? Check out Clodagh McKenna’s brilliant website for daily recipes and news from Clodagh’s World.