Baker and chocolatier Kasha Connolly, Creative Director at Hazel Mountain Chocolate, shares her ideal foodie weekend, her favourite restaurants and where she loves to shop …
MY IDEAL WEEKEND
Since starting my new show Food For Stories – a cooking and travel show celebrating local flavours and global stories told from Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way – I’ve become more intentional about how I spend my weekends. They’re now about family time and self-care; it’s my chance to escape from the buzz of filming and work.
The ideal weekend for me is all about slow mornings and food. It starts with a sweet and savoury breakfast in one, crème fraiche banana pancakes and Polish-style scrambled eggs with shallots and smoked sausage, with a platter of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes or peppers. I love when breakfast stretches lazily into lunchtime, ideally enjoyed in cosy loungewear.
A late lunch or early dinner at Ballynahinch Castle, followed by a forest walk, makes the perfect escape. I love getting my fresh vegetables and fish at the local farmers’ market in Kinvara. I usually squeeze in a quick visit to Hazel Mountain Café for honey cake or to meet friends.
My weekend winds down with a movie on the projector, surrounded by snacks like pickled herring, smoked meats and dreamy vegan cashew cream cheese from The Hungry Soul.
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER
On a Friday night, I head to The Universal in Galway. This spot channels that intimate New York vibe – cosy, fresh, made-to-order dishes and a good wine list that includes a stellar Spanish Albariño. The atmosphere is distinctly different; it transports you right out of Galway.
My go-to dish there is lemon sole with brown butter and hazelnuts; a simple yet multi-layered dish that complements this gorgeous fish. @universal.the
MY IDEAL SATURDAY
My ideal Saturday is all about finding a balance between creating and relaxing. With my new show keeping me busy, I’ve started improvising more in the kitchen at home. But when I get a chance to go out, I love visiting Moran’s on the Weir in Kilcolgan for late lunch. It’s got this wonderfully cosy vibe and serves some nice seafood. @moransoystercottage
For breakfast, my dream spread would be inspired by Nordic Polish traditions that include fresh sourdough brown rolls, smoky cured meats and some pickled herring. I have yet to find the spot for that type of breakfast!
MY WEEKEND FOOD SHOPPING
Fallon & Byrne in Dublin is always a standout for its wide variety of Irish and international produce. Their selection of speciality vegetables, like unique mushrooms you’d struggle to find elsewhere, is a real treasure. I enjoy visiting places like this because they often offer something unexpected, something you don’t see in every other shop, like The Cheese Press in Ennistymon, where you can find a good selection of cheeses (Cratloe sheep’s cheese is one of the best I’ve tasted!).
I also enjoy visiting I Love Organic in Maynooth for its interesting varieties of seasonal produce, like Lobo apples, which are my personal favourite. And I’m always drawn to their herbal teas. There’s something so special about finding a unique offering; recently, I’ve started stocking Swedish Moomin tea, which features interesting ingredients like bilberries and chokeberries.
For meat, I often turn to local suppliers like The Friendly Farmer, who provides such high-quality chicken. I think what draws me to these places and products is their distinctiveness, something a little out of the ordinary that makes the shopping or experience more special.
WEEKEND TIPPLES?
As the chill of winter sets in, my most indulgent combination is chai rum with ginger beer, both stocked at the online Celtic Whiskey Shop, creating a cosy, festive cocktail that feels like a hug in a glass. I often add crushed sugar with cinnamon to it. Now, I take it to the next level with my 42% Cuban cacao milk chocolate. With its unique caramel and banana notes, it doesn’t just complement the drink, it transforms the experience. It’s irresistibly seasonal.
THIS WEEKEND I’M MAKING …
A no-bake mince pie cheesecake like no other! Shaped into a charming little triangle using buttery petit beurre biscuits, it’s a uniquely delightful twist on a classic mince pie, which also looks adorable.