On Thursday, May 7, principal at Scoil Pól, Kilfinane, Mike O'Hara welcomed one of Ireland's best known chefs, Neven Maguire, to the Charleville Park Hotel.

The event was a fundraising night for the secondary school where all funds raised will be used to offset the annual costs associated with travel and engagement in extracurricular activities in the school.

A large crowd of approximately 350 people gathered on the night and were welcomed by the parents' association and principal and availed of a complementary glass of wine at reception. A number of artisan food and industry stalls were available to the audience for browsing at, where a variety of food, beverages, condiments and specialities could be tasted and/or purchased.

Between 7 and 8pm Neven himself visited these stalls to sample and admire these artisan products and availed of these samples to include in his menu on the night. Many availed of this opportunity to have their photograph taken with the famous chef himself.

At 8pm the cooking demonstration began, Neven's engaging and narrative style immediately captured the audience’s attention and from that moment, no detail was missed.

Two lucky members of the audience were invited to the stage during the first half of the show, where they were able to eat the courses prepared, being the envy of the crowd! Neven’s willingness to share his cooking tips was evident throughout the demonstration and the eager crowd paid rapt attention, as even the humble cabbage was turned in to a mouth watering dish.

At the interval, more photographs were taken and Neven spent time sighing copies of his book that were available on the night. Having had their appetites whetted by Neven, the audience used their interval break to revisit the artisan stalls and further taste and purchase some of the excellent produce on show. While the second half of the demonstration was all about deserts.

The parents' association had assembled an extremely impressive array of hampers as raffle prizes, made up of food and goods produced locally in the Ballyhoura region, and also donated from those stalls present on the night. Neven himself contributed first prize in the raffle, by very kindly donating a meal for two at his own Black Lion Restaurant at MacNean House in Leitrim.

Principal Mike O'Hara sincerely thanked Neven for his excellent demonstration throughout the night. The staff of the Charleville Park Hotel, under the stewardship of Triona Dore, was also thanked for their help and guidance in organising and running the event.

An excellent night was had by everyone and to close, Mike O'Hara gratefully thanked all those who had supported the event in any way, and by extension, Scoil Pól Secondary School in Kilfinane.

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