A Laois chef to the stars has been speaking about her experiences with the rich and famous on Midlands 103.
There must be something in the water in Cullahill, as the small village has produced some legendary chefs and food producers such as Doireanna Allen, Rory O’Connell and now – Caitriona Bolger.
Caitriona said: “I was lucky enough to get a place on Lynda’s cookery course last minute, and from day one, I knew that I’d made the right decision – all of the senses that I’d learnt so much about as a therapist – taste, sight, touch, smell, and sound – were being thoroughly stimulated every day.”
A fully qualified occupational therapist, Caitriona turned back to her true love of cooking and enrolled in a three month cookery course in Lynda Booth’s Dublin cookery school.
She dabbled in different areas, between working in a bakery to late nights in fine dining restaurants before she found her calling in becoming a personal chef. Since then – she as travelled and cooked for families across Ireland, the UK and even France, Italy and Greece.
Caitriona spoke to Will Faulkner about how she became a chef, and about her renowned clientele. “If you could make your living out of your hobby you wouldn’t be doing too bad,” she told Will.
“It’s very much based on word of mouth and I guess my name got out there,” she added.
‘I’m from Laois, we’re not used to Ferraris!’
“I was in the south of France one Christmas and they pulled in to get diesel and I said ‘Why do you need two different types of diesel?’ and one of the ladies said, ‘Well what diesel do you put in your Ferraris?’ I just said, ‘I’m from Laois, we’re not used to Ferraris!'” Caitriona laughed.
She also explained just what everyday life is like in her dream job is like to the Midlands 103 presenter: “These families go to their holiday home and they want to be able to throw their bags in the corner and just chill out.
She also said the environment she works in is a homely atmosphere, which she loves: “You’re doing the jobs while standing over a Jack Russell her or a Labraodor there. I love that because it would be what I’m doing if I was at home. Sometimes I make the pancake batter and let the child climb up on a stool and make the pancakes themselves.
Caitriona also explained how preparation is key. “I’ve worked out on the Aran Islands and I’d be bringing three or four bags of groceries and if someone says ‘Awh I’m allergic to gluten’ you have to have a spare box of gluten-free flour in the bag just incase.
“If it’s morning time I’m thinking ahead to dinner that night or lunch the next day because you never know, a couple of extra guests might come in.” Caitriona has also been able to dine with some of the people she’s prepared food for. “Some families would say ‘Caitriona there’s eight of here tonight you can make food for nine and join us. That’s such a treat like, you know you could be cooking dinner and here a glass of wine has been handed to you.”
Who knows, we might even catch a glimpse of Caitriona driving her Ferrari around Cullahill some day!
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