Ireland is recognised internationally for its high-quality dairy produce and dairy ingredients. The versatility of dairy foods allows for its uses in main meal dishes; starters and appetizers; snacks; and desserts. Furthermore, the nutritional contribution of milk, yogurt and cheese to the Irish diet is demonstrated in our national food surveys. We are so fortunate in Ireland to have access to nutritious milk
and dairy produce supported by a sustainable, grass-based system. At the NDC we are proud to have worked with some of Ireland’s top chefs who have produced some delicious recipes for us which celebrate the unique taste of Irish Dairy. From a perfectly risen cheese souffle to a sumptuous, rich and creamy potato gratin – the choices are endless!
Our Dairy Ambassador Chefs
Clodagh McKenna
Chef & Ambassador for NDC
Clodagh McKenna is a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and broadcaster who develops wholesome recipes using seasonal ingredients that are perfect for entertaining. This year, Clodagh celebrates 20 years working in food.
Clodagh’s recipes can be seen in any of her five best-selling cookbooks, on her YouTube channel or in one of her regular slots on Channel 4 Sunday Brunch (UK), The Today Show (USA), The Rachael Ray Show (USA), The Marilyn Denis Show (Canada) or Your Morning (Canada). She has created a number of delicious recipes for the NDC celebrating Irish Dairy and works on a number of campaigns, she is the Food Ambassador for the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Donal Skehan
Chef
LA based Food writer and chef Donal Skehan has started working with the NDC this year and is the ambassador of our EU funded Cheese your Way campaign. Inspired by a family of passionate food lovers who have worked in the food industry for over 60 years, cooking and eating hearty home cooked food has always been a way of life. Donal has a strong social media presence, engaging his fans through exciting and dynamic content as evidenced by his consistent presence on VidCon panels, and at cooking festivals worldwide. His popular Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat accounts totalling over half a million food lovers across the globe.
Derval O'Rourke
Chef
In 2014 she decided to hang up her spikes for good after 12 amazing years competing at the highest level in world athletics. Derval also spent 2 years working in professional rugby for IRUPA with Munster rugby and her food and fitness business with the launch of her 2nd cookbook “The Fit Foodie”. Derval is now full time building her Fit Foodie business and works alongside great partners who share the same values. She has worked with NDC on a number of campaigns over the year and has created a number of delicious recipes exclusively for us.
Lilly Higgins
Chef
Lilly started her food blog ‘Stuff I Make, Bake and Love’ in 2010. After a few months blogging she was approached by Gill & Macmillan to publish her first book, Make Bake Love. Her second book ‘Dream Deli’ was published in October 2013. Lilly is now a weekly columnist & photographer for The Irish Times, with online videos each Friday. She had a weekly column with The Sunday Business Post for three years and a monthly column with Easy food magazine since 2010. She writes and photographs food regularly for various national papers, magazines and food producers. Enthusiastic and engaging on Instagram and Twitter, she was ranked in the top 5 Food & Drink Journalists 2016 by Murray Tweet Index.
Adrian Martin
Chef
Martin is an Irish chef from County Cavan, Ireland. Adrian has trained in some of Ireland’s most renowned restaurants including MacNean House (where he worked for six years) and Michelin Star restaurant, Bon Appetite in Malahide. Adrian is currently an Ambassador for Nordmende Smart Living and Manor Farm and holds a degree in Culinary Arts from the School of Tourism, Killybegs. Through weekly visits and cookery demonstrations, Adrian teaches children about the importance of healthy food and the tools they will need to practice simple cooking. He has worked with the National Dairy Council for a number of years and has demonstrated for us at the National Ploughing Championships.
Currabinny
Chefs
James Kavanagh and William Murray set up their company Currabinny a number of years ago, named after a small town in West Cork. Social media Star James and his partner William reached the finals of RTE’s Taste of Success with their Pecan and White Chocolate Banana Loaf. They celebrate traditional ingredients and create delicious takes on modern classics. They have worked with the NDC for a number of years and are massive Dairy fans demonstrating for the last two years at the National Ploughing Championships.