Ireland’s first ‘No Salt’ Cookery School has opened in Moville, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. A completely new concept to Ireland, the ‘Brian McDermott Cookery School’ has been opened by Donegal Chef Brian McDermott, aka ‘The No Salt Chef’.
Following his diagnosis with a heart condition five years ago, Brian completely changed his life and cooking style, establishing a reputation for himself as “The No Salt Chef” and cooking great tasting, accessible and affordable food, without adding salt.
Salt is a high priority issue for Ireland, with the average daily intake for adults at 10 grams, well over the Recommended Daily Allowance of four grams. Salt intake plays a critical role in regulating blood pressure, particularly important as Ireland has high mortality and morbidity rates from heart disease and stroke relative to other developed countries.
Having experienced increasing demand from people who have met and attended his cookery demonstrations across Ireland, including ‘Bloom in the Park’, Brian has fulfilled a long-held dream opening Ireland’s first ‘No Salt’ Cookery School. . The new state-of-the-art cookery school offers fun, informative hand-on demonstrations accommodating up to 15 people.
“I am very excited to launch Ireland’s first ‘no salt’ cookery school in my hometown of Moville, Inishowen. I cook clean and honest food with no hidden ingredients or added salt. I let the ingredients speak for themselves and instead of adding salt, I use herbs and spices that complement, but don’t overshadow the main dish. It’s important that my food is healthy, doesn’t contain any added salt, but above all tastes fantastic and this is something I am passionate to teach” said Brian McDermott, ‘The No Salt Chef’ and founder of the Brian McDermott Cookery School.
Upcoming classes, all teaching the ‘No Salt’ philosophy include:
‘Appreciating Seafood’, teaching participants to master delicious seafood dishes using the freshest fish straight off the boats from the nearby Greencastle Fishing Harbour.
‘Mastering Sunday Lunch’ – making the most of Sundays, a fantastic and fun course helping participants to perfect a tasty, relaxing Sunday lunch
‘Learn to Bake’ – Mastering the essentials of affordable and delicious bakery –without using salt!
‘Going to College’ – perfect for young people leaving home for the first time, this course teaches how to cook simple, delicious and healthy meals on a budget. With one fifth of Irish teens now overweight or obese, this course teaches young people to cook and eat healthily, a particular passion of Brian’s.
‘Cooking on a Budget’ – where Brian will show how eat to better for less using local, seasonal ingredients.
The Brian McDermott Cookery School is also providing a unique Chef’s Table, providing groups of up to 14 people with a very personal culinary journey of a seven course tasting menu, where guests will dine while Brian cooks explaining the dish and using the best of local produce. Guests are greeted with a complimentary drink and canapé’s and the ‘Chef’s Table’ experience is already becoming very popular for family gatherings, girly nights out and celebrating special occasions.
Aiming to attract participants from across Ireland, North and South, Brian has partnered with the nearby four star Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf and Spa Hotel for accommodation for the school.
Chef Brian McDermott also has a Culinary Arts Degree, graduating top of his class. A successful career working in the kitchens of some of his native Donegal’s most lauded establishments and a senior global product development role in Kerry Group ended when Brian was diagnosed with a heart condition. As a result, Brian completely changed his life and his cooking style and quickly established a reputation for himself as “The No Salt Chef”, cooking great tasting, accessible and affordable food without adding salt.
Brian is author of his first and very successful cookery book, ‘Reunite with Food’, regularly works with award-winning chef, Neven Maguire and hosts cookery demonstrations across the country. He presents his own weekly cookery slot on BBC radio and is a regular contributor to many Irish press titles.
For more on The Brian McDermott Cookery School, which is situated at Carrownaffe, Moville, Co Donegal and to Book Classes, visit www.thenosaltchef.com or Tel: +353 (0)74 93 85921.
Zack.