In his second collaboration with Adare Manor, Turtle Bunbury traces the swift and remarkable voyage that has established it as one of Ireland’s principal culinary landmarks.
History appears in this new book too, with Adare’s culinary heritage stretching back to an 8-day festival held on the estate almost 800 years ago. And yet this book is also very much a story of today’s Ireland. It looks at the exceptional work of the kitchen staff across Adare Manor, at their gastronomic odysseys around Ireland and at the multiple artisan suppliers they work with.
Much of the success is down to the chefs, bakers, chocolatiers and pastry makers who are constantly nurturing and developing their creative flair and ingenuity. The quality of the produce is also key. Most of the ingredients used have been sourced from artisan farms, gardens, orchards and coastal waters across Ireland that the head chefs visited during their two groundbreaking culinary road trips.
The dining areas are an integral part of the tale. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served in The Gallery, one of the most majestic rooms in Ireland, completed over 180 years ago.
The Oak Room, whose Michelin Star was re-confirmed in 2022, offers the exquisite delights of the Market Menu, complete with a superb wine list and one of the finest cheese trolleys in the land. This chapter also looks at the brilliant wine collection, for which Jurica Gojevic, the founding sommelier, won the inaugural Michelin Sommelier Award in 2019.
It also details the behind-the-scenes activity in the kitchens (including a dedicated Chocolate Room) and dining areas, the brilliant wine collection (for which its founding sommelier was awarded the inaugural Michelin Sommelier Award 2020) and a plethora of cocktails from Ariel Sanecki, one of the world’s champion mixologists. There’s also a dozen delectable recipes for good measure.
The Carriage House brings a contemporary clubhouse ambience to another part of the 840-acre estate, while weddings, banquets and corporate dinners take place amid the splendour of The Grand Ballroom.
In the subterranean world of The Tack Room, world champion cocktails are served alongside whiskey from an exceptional collection that includes Adare Manor’s collaborations with the Midleton Distillery and its new Garden Gin.
The book was designed by John Power and edited by Yvonne Gordon, winner of the Travel Extra Irish Travel Journalist of the Year award in 2017, 2019 and 2022. It was printed in 2020 by W&G Baird, Northern Ireland.
Reviews
‘Adare Manor’s journey echoes another voyage of discovery, that undertaken by Rene Redzepi and his cohort before they opened Noma, in Copenhagen. Redzepi wrote a big, handsome book about that, and now Turtle Bunbury has done the same. This fine book walks us through both the history of the manor, and the day-to-day operations of the team, as they strive to hit the heights with every aspect of their work.’
McKenna’s Guides
‘It is always a pleasure to work with Turtle and his great team. His enthusiasm & commitment to accuracy and completeness has really made our books such enjoyable reading. The new book is proving extremely popular with our guests.’
Colm Hannon, CEO, Adare Manor
‘A lavishly illustrated exploration of food and drink … documenting the historical precedents and current exciting blossoming of the dining experience at Adare Manor, focussing on the sense of place and spirit of hospitality that has always animated this unique estate. A feast of stories and full of recipes too, from simple breads to elegant entrees and delectable desserts.‘
Eoin Higgins, Image Magazine