Responding to the fact that keeping salt levels low is a major issue for people like himself with heart problems, the ‘No Salt Chef’ Brian McDermott opened Ireland’s first salt-free cookery school in summer 2013.
Here, in his home town on the Inishowen peninsula, this professional chef with a quarter of a century's experience under his belt, demonstrates that subtle use of herbs and spices can bring out the flavour in natural ingredients at least as effectively as adding salt - and has earned himself a national reputation as a result.
The story of Brian's personal health journey is now well known and 'The No Salt Chef' takes pride in cooking "clean, honest food with no hidden ingredients or added salt".
Equally well known for his support of local produce as for passing on the salt, Brian also has a knack for simplifying his messages and applies an easily remembered ‘Triple A Menu’ to his cooking:
1) Available - all ingredients easy to find locally
2) Accessible - Brian’s easy to follow style
3) Affordable - family food for all occasions
Evening, half day and 4-week cookery certificate courses are offered, on themes ranging from One Pot Wonders, Fabulous Greencastle Fish, and Cakes'n'Bakes to Men in the Kitchen, Couples Cookery, Curry Club and Kitchen Garden.
Brian also offers 'the ultimate private dining experience' at €55pp for groups of 12-16 at the cookery school's Chef's Table. With a complimentary drink on arrival followed by a 7-course tasting menu cooked by Brian before your eyes, this certainly has the makings of a very special get-together.
