‘He views food as art': Culinary ‘genius' Dylan McGrath feels the heat in business
"It nearly killed him,' documentary director Karen McGrath says about Dylan McGrath's ambition to claim his first Michelin star.
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RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Outcome of EU-US tariff talks 'not certain'
European Union commissioner Michael McGrath has said "the world has changed" and that economic terms "we had six months ago are no longer available" amid ongoing discussions on an EU-US tariff deal. Speaking to RTÉ's This Week programme, the commissioner also said that while it has been reported a 15% tariff deal could be agreed today, it is "not a case of turning up and signing on the dotted line" and that today's talks "will take on a dynamic of its own". Mr McGrath said this evening's meeting between European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Us President Donald Trump is a "positive" sign, the outcome is "not certain". He described today's talks as "a live negotiation", and said "we [the EU] are hoping for a conclusion and a good outcome, but we also have to be prepared, other outcomes are possible". Mr McGrath said "we are close to the deadline of 1 August" for a tariff deal to be struck and that "very often it's the case you narrow negotiations down to a select amount of items". Mr McGrath declined to discuss the prospect of a 15% tariff deal, saying he "can't get into numbers at this time". However, he said the EU's "objective" is to "bring clarity and certainty" to businesses, including the pharmaceutical sector, adding that "it remains to be seen whether that can be achieved today". "What we will see today is hopefully a political statement, a political declaration, although that is not certain," he said. Asked if a 15% tariff rate would be a bad deal for the EU, Mr McGrath said: "I don't think we should reach any conclusion yet". He added that any deal needs to be seen in the context that "the terms we had six months ago are no longer available". Questioned on whether EU member states will all agree to any potential deal, he said that would ultimately be up to member states themselves, before reiterating "the world has changed", and that negotiators are trying to find "the best deal for the European Union".
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
West Cork coastal home with sea views in Baltimore hits market for €1.35m
DESPITE a dip in viewings across many market sectors right now thanks to global uncertainties, employment worries, and a tightening economic situation, West Cork's coastal market appears to be holding ground. Many estate agents across the spectrum — rural and urban — admit that market activity has slowed over the summer months, for a variety of reasons; yet, prices are holding firm so far at strong levels given demand levels. Take a view.... Anything good, or even rare, in walk-in condition, and well-located is still moving at pace: a couple of very swift sales of very high end recent listings appears on the cards for places by the Cork coastline west of Kinsale, it's rumoured. Also reporting a quick pick up of interest is this €1.35m listing called Laguna at Cove Hill in chi-chi sailing village Baltimore (anointed with one of Ireland's most rare two-star Michelin restaurants, Dede) is auctioneer Maeve McCarthy of Skib-based Charles P McCarthy, selling Laguna for Irish owners, and saying the interest so far is mostly Irish, primarily from Dublin. Done Dede There's more than first meets the eye at Laguna, originally a 1970s build, later extended and upgraded to a good standard of finish and décor, on an elevated site of 0.7 of an acre with wide-ranging, panoramic views over Roaringwater Bay, islands such as Sherkin and Cape Clear, and out toward Mount Gabriel and Schull: Ms McCarthy bills the views as 'commanding'. Some setting It's at the end of a cul de sac above The Cove — where some of Baltimore's strongest prices of late have been achieved for places near the water or on the water: The Cove has claimed three €1m+ scalps to date and one made €1.4m. Coincidently, the property name Laguna already appears on the Price Register: a very basic level, chalet-style detached at Blue Flag beach Inchydoney near Clonakilty sold in 2023 for an extraordinary €1.15m, likely to be demolished and replaced in time. This Laguna at Inchydoney made €1.15m in 2023 Baltimore's fine-fettle Laguna is launched at €1.35m, and in local terms the trade is views from on high in exchange for water proximity: it's pretty private too given Cove Hill is only really trafficked by residents, and a handful of neighbour homes are also substantially sized/extended. Big builds Most of Laguna's c 2,990 sq ft is at ground level with three bedrooms (the main is large, at over 20' by 20', with vaulted ceilings and has a pod-like en suite within it, the other two at ground are compact) and there's one small first floor en suite bedroom. Most of the floor area is living space, and the main/front living room at 21' by 17' has a wood-burning stove in a brick and stone chimney breast, with corner window. Finishes in floors, bathrooms and kitchen are good, the energy rating is B2 with PV solar panels, and as well as the main house there's a lofted garage/boathouse with roller door and overhead Veluxes, and an adjacent garden room as a recent addition. VERDICT: Almost certainly going to bought as a second-home. Will it be wealthy Irish or from over the seas? Property & Home will run a 'Coastal Living' series of special reports and focus in next Saturday's issue.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Shock as Terre chef steps down from two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Castlemarter Resort
The Irish food world has been rocked by the news that the chef-patron of Terre restaurant at Castlemartyr Resort has stepped down just three years after his arrival at the luxury East Cork hotel. During his time there, Frenchman Vincent Crepel guided the restaurant to first one, then two Michelin stars in just 18 months. In a statement, Crepel said: 'Building Terre has been one of the most beautiful and meaningful journeys of my career. We created more than a restaurant, we shaped a space with soul, purpose, and intention. I'm profoundly grateful to those who stood beside me, to every guest who crossed our threshold, and to the remarkable suppliers whose craft helped bring our vision to life. I carry it all forward with me.' With so much investment pumped into the hotel in recent years under a new ownership regime, including a substantial financial commitment to creating the Terre restaurant in a 17th century manor house on the estate, it will be viewed as a matter of extreme urgency to ensure a seamless succession in the kitchen with Crepel slated to step down at the end of September although the hotel management is currently remaining tight-lipped on future plans. General Manager of Castlemartyr Resort, Brendan Comerford said: 'Vincent has played a pivotal role in shaping the identity and success of Terre. His creativity, precision, and leadership helped the restaurant reach an exceptional milestone. We thank him for his contribution and wish him the very best for what lies ahead.' The hotel had been purchased in 2021 for €20m by Singapore-based Stanley Quek and Peng Loh whose international hospitality portfolio also includes Sheen Falls Lodge, in Co Kerry, and Trinity Townhouse, in Dublin. The new owners' plan for a radical upgrade also involved a new in-house restaurant targeting a highly ambitious two Michelin Stars at first time of asking which saw Crepel installed as chef-patron when Terre opened in September 2022. Under Crepel, Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening It is not uncommon for high-end hotels to target a Michelin star for an in-house restaurant as part of the overall business model, the better to attract custom to the hotel. Cashel Palace Hotel in Co Tipperary is the most recent luxury Irish hotel to receive a Michelin star, joining Adare Manor, Cliff House Hotel, Ballyfin Demesne, Mount Juliet Estate and Restaurant Patrick Guildbaud (two stars) at Dublin's Merrion Hotel. But eyebrows were most certainly raised at the extent of the ambition for Castlemartyr Resort in 2022 when Crepel was first unveiled and revealed the plan was to aim for two stars in the esteemed guide at the first time of asking, a rare feat indeed anywhere in the world of fine dining, though the late Aimsir restaurant, in Co Kildare, debuted at two stars in 2019, just two months after opening. While there are currently 18 one Michelin star restaurants in Ireland, there are just five Michelin two starred restaurants, including Terre, and, as yet, no Michelin three starred restaurants, and Crepel was to be disappointed when his first shot at the stated target fell short with just one Michelin star awarded to Terre at the awards ceremony in March 2023. However, Crepel's fusion of French and Asian influences brought to bear on a judicious combination of Irish and imported produce hit the magic formula at the second time of asking when Terre received its second Michelin star just 18 months after first opening. As it was a stated ambition from the off, it is to be presumed the Castlemartyr Resort owners will be very keen to ensure both Michelin Stars are retained and while chef Josef Zammit successfully ensured the Cliff House Hotel retained its star at the last time of asking when he took over from departing head chef Tony Parkin, there are no immediately obvious Irish-based candidates to ensure a transition that sees Terre retaining both stars so they may well now be looking abroad for Crepel's successor. However, the identity of Crepel's successor will remain unknown for the moment as, when asked about a succession plan for Terre, the response from hotel management was 'no further comment at this time.'
