Chef and entrepreneur Andrew Holmes, aka The Hogfather caterer, has excellent form that includes a five-year stint as head chef at Avoca and a solid reputation for pig-on-a-spit gigs as well as more formal catering (www.andrewholmescatering.ie). Favourites like The Whole Hog sandwich will appeal to fans of Holmes’ Hogfather brand, featuring slow-cooked pork shoulder with crackling, pickled cucumber, ruby slaw and Hogfather BBQ Sauce on white loaf. That kind of attention to detail applies across the board, such as with the TBC sandwich featuring 24hr brined turkey, K28 Smoked Bacon Jam, crispy skin mayo, Monterey Jack cheese, tomato and rocket on multiseed brown.
While the industrial estate location makes it a very locally-focused affair for those in the know, a rather rudimentary but pleasant set up of picnic tables in a grassy, tree-lined corner of the development makes it a popular destination amongst locals. Its success was no doubt helped by being opened just two months before the first of 2020’s coronavirus lockdowns, giving Kilcoole folk a great option for outdoor daytime dining when they needed it most.
It’s also a great place to stock up on must-have condiments and treats from the likes of NutShed, Harry’s Nut Butter, Blanco Nino and Burren Balsamics – as well as to sample some creative uses in dishes likes the Ya Mad Yolk salad with asparagus, pea, mint, parsley, quinoa and White Mausu Cashew Nut Rayu with a tamarind dressing and soft-boiled egg.
Meanwhile the freezer meal side of Kitchen 28 delivers locally, but also as far as South County Dublin. Nourishing and flavoursome choices include roasted veg and red lentil dahl with fresh vibrant and judicious spicing, alongside various pies, bakes, stews and cassoulet – making it a great detour off the M11 on the way home from a short break away.
