THE INAUGURAL All Ireland Pig on the Spit roasting competition made its debut at Old Crescent Rugby Club last weekend as eight teams set up camp at the Rosbrien based club to roast some pigs and impress a panel of three industry judges and hopefully scoop the coveted title.
After hours of tending the spits, pits, smokers and ovens, Tommy Relihan crew from Adare Farm Foods, ably led by master roaster, John Horan, scooped the cash prize but above all the All Ireland title for the most succulent and flavoursome pig after the blind tasting judging.
The competition, that began in the wee hours of Sunday morning, brought the highlight to a magnificent three day festival that both young and old enjoyed despite the odd downpour.
However, Sunday saw the fruits of the labour of all eight teams come together at 4pm when the golden hogs were there for all to see and sample.
Internationally renowned chef John Flynn, was on hand to make sure all teams stuck to the criteria of the competition and together with food stylist and LIT lecturer Agnes Bouchier Hayes and yours truly, we sampled, tasted and scored our winner from the hogs on offer.
Congratulating all the teams for their outstanding efforts, John noted that the performances of the teams would be “an asset to any party or event”. A fine example of the huge increase in pig on the spit roasting.
Roll on next year where the organisers are sure to see an increase in the entrants in this excellent competition.
