Jim, whose celebrated eatery ‘The Kitchen’ at Hynds Square is one of the culinary highlights of Laois, was presented with his award by Tanaiste, Brian Cowen in front of a 300 strong crowd at the glittering gala function, held in conjunction with ACC
The naming of the Laois Person of the Year remained a closely guarded secret until after the presentation of 16 awards in the sporting, community and business fields at the outset of the function. Jim Tynan had earlier received an award in the business category.
Each award winner received a specially commissioned limited edition painting of Timahoe Round Tower by Portlaoise artist Maria Conroy.
In his comments Minister Cowen noted the business and community aspects of the awards. Also honoured on the evening was former Leinster Express Editor, John Whelan. John, who has taken up the post of Editor of the Leinster Leader in Naas, received a presentation from the Leinster Express. The evening was hosted by RTE broadcaster, Eileen Dunne.
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Hynds Square is a paved pedestrianised area just off Main Street in Portlaoise and it’s here you’ll find one of the finest restaurants and one of the most comprehensive food retail outlets in the country the Kitchen and Foodhall. These two outstanding establishments were created by Jim Tynan and his family and no visit to Portlaoise would be complete without trying them out.
Jim studied in Ireland before travelling to London to hone his skills. He worked as a chef-de-tage at the famed Claridges Hotel. Jim is not a man to blow his own trumpet but if pressed he will admit that he served Queen Elizabeth II along with other heads of state from around the world.
On his return to Ireland, Jim opened a café/restaurant which was immediately successful, so much so that he felt confident enough to open the Kitchen and Foodhall. The Foodhall has been described as "Harrods Food Hall’s younger brother" and it stocks a similarly wide range of comestibles. Indulgences such as hand-made chocolates and specialities like wedding cakes are on offer along with staples such as freshly baked breads, biscuits and cakes. There’s a huge selection of cooked meats, salamis and cheeses; quality oils, vinegars and sauces, (including a range of Jim’s own dressings), jams, chutneys, preserves and more. Just name it and you’ll almost certainly find it here, personally sourced by Jim from suppliers both local and international. To complement the food on offer, there’s also a hand-picked selection of wines from around the world.
The Kitchen has an authentic Irish feel to it painted stone walls, slate floor, traditional wooden chairs and tables and interesting wall decorations, all combine to create a pleasing and relaxing ambience. The cuisine could best be described as Irish/Mediterranean and is based on prime ingredients freshly prepared and attractively presented. The Kitchen is open throughout the day, serving breakfast, morning coffee, a generous "Eat as much as you want" lunch buffet and afternoon teas. If the weather is favourable, customers can enjoy their food al fresco at tables in the square.
Well known restaurant guides, including The Bridge Stone Guide and Georgina Campbell’s Good Food Guide have endorsed the quality of The Kitchen’s cuisine and it has been included in Irelands Food and Wine Top 100 survey.
Georgina Campbell, Jameson Guide, Ireland 2004
Jim Tynan’s smashing restaurant and food shop is definitely worth a detour into town. Delicious home-made food, an open fire, relaxed atmosphere – a perfect place to break a journey or for a special visit. The Foodhall stocks a wide range of Irish speciality food products (and many excellent imported ones as well) and also sells products made on the premises: home-made terrines and breads for example (including gluten-free breads – which are also available in the restaurant) lovely home-bakes like Victoria sponges, crumbles and bread & butter pudding.
You can buy home-made ready meals too and any of the wines from the shop can be bought for the restaurant without a corkage charge.
The restaurant offers a great choice of wholesome fare, including at least three vegetarian dishes each day – old favourites like nut roast, perhaps and others like roasted vegetable & cream cheese flan and spinach roulade with cream cheese & pepper. Hereford premium beef is typical of the Irish produce in which such pride is taken – and lunches are served with a wholesome selection of vegetables or salads.
IRISH DAILY MAIL
Weekend
Saturday December 02nd 2006
Cheese made easy …
Jim Tynan’s wonderful food emporium, The Kitchen & Food Hall, is a gastronomic gem stacked with homemade produce and exotic imports - definitely worth a detour if you’re visiting Laois.
Here, Jim shows how to put together the perfect Christmas cheeseboard the key to the perfect cheeseboard is to include a selection of farmhouse cheeses with a variety of tastes and textures.
The cheeses I like include Mossfield Farm organic cheese with basil, black pepper and cumin, from Birr, Co. Offaly; Durrus, a lovely buttery cheese from The Kitchen & Foodhall, Hynds Square, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Tel. 0578662061 or visit www.goodfoodireland.com
LAOIS NATIONALIST
Friday December 01st 2006
Congratulations to Jim Tynan and his staff, whose Kitchen and Foodhall Restaurant won the "Good Food Ireland Cafe-Restaurant of the Year 2006." Jim is a native of Mountrath and is widely known for his culinary expertise.
Christmas in Abbeyleix
Well Known Portlaoise chef Jim Tynan, whose Kitchen and Foodhall restaurant just won the Good Food Ireland Cafe Restaurant of the Year 2006, will reveal the secrets of Christmas cuisine at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on November 30.
The culinary demonstration, dubbed. ‘The Christmas Kitchen’, will be presented by Abbeyleix and District Lions Club from
8pm on the night.
