It seems like so long ago when I entered Cheffactor. I never thought that I would actually win. I had tried so hard to get votes but felt disheartened every time I checked how other peoples votes were adding up. The finalists were put up online and to my absolute shock and delight, I made it!

The first thing I have made with my freshly foraged elder is Elderflower Cordial. It's easy and makes a really refreshing summer drink.

You will need:

6-8 heads of elderflower
175g/6oz sugar
600ml/1pint cold water
zest & juice of 2 unwaxed lemons

Although the weather in Ireland at summertime is unpredictable and far from exotic, this time of year brings a flurry of wonderful ingredients that we should take advantage of while they are here. Buying ingredients that are in season and Irish makes sense. It ensures that you get the freshest ingredients at the best price, while also supporting Irish farmers & producers.

If you want to be even more thrifty, you can even forage! Foraging may seem ridiculous to some but there is a world of ingredients out there waiting to be used and I for one am going to use them.

Cully & Sully kindly invited me along to judge the hilarious "Campervan cook-off" at Vantastival Festival last week.

It all took place just outside the beautiful Annagassan, Co. Louth. There were 5 campervans taking part in the competition. They were all given the same ingredients and had to create 2 courses using only the equipment contained in their campers (some cheekily made 3 courses!)

The ingredients included: Minced beef, green pepper, chick peas, onion, chilli, chopped tomatoes, wild garlic, rice, black pudding, brie, cream & a banana - 45mins - Ready, Steady, Cook!

Its taken me a few days to get around to updating this.

First we had a day of challenging written exams that contained some questions we all expected but then some others that none of thought would be in there. One was to design a 3 course meal that we would prepare for Rory O'Connell on short notice, in 2 hours & with limited ingredients.

Surprisingly my Meat, Fish, Herb, Spice & Salad Leaf identification actually went ok. I thought I would find it really difficult to recognise everything but it appears that information has actually sunk in over the last 3 months.

Today was a day of studying - this is not my forte. Not so much fun!

Tomorrow we have 3 written papers to include questions on:
Food Costing
Menu Planning
Fire Precautions
Food Hygiene
HACCP
Freezing
Emergency Situations
Seasonality
Cheesemaking
Bread
Chocolate
Tea
Game
Pastry, Flours & Yeast
Cookery Terms
Jam Making
Preserving
Sushi
Compost
Mother & Daughter Sauces
Oils & Vinegars

And as if that wasnt enough we also have to identify:
Spices & name 1 recipe
Herbs & name 2 recipes
Salad leaves
Fish & name 1 recipe
Meat & name 1 recipe

Cant wait!

So today was the big test - a few weeks ago we had to come up with a menu - 3 courses & 1 bread (we were allocated a bread), 3 hours - what fun?!

On my menu was:

Spiced Goujons of Sole with a Wild Garlic Aioli

Roast Chicken with Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Purple Sprouting Brocolli, Bread Sauce & Gravy

Panna Cotta with a Rhubarb Compote & topped with Almond Praline

White Yeast Bread Rolls

So today we had our last demo presented by Rory. I cant even remember what he did right now because there's so much stuff going on in my head right now. But it was the last one and everyone (well almost) is feeling pretty glum about the whole thing.

Im just about to get changed & go into the kitchens make my panna cotta in cook ahead. Eek, hope it all goes ok & it sets & the vanilla seeds dont sink to the bottom etc. etc.

Forgot my camera again today so no picture, sorry!

Today was our last day of cooking as normal - the next time we cook in the kitchens will be exam day (Wednesday for me, Thursday for some) scary!

So today we had a couple of things to make but could make whatever else we wanted so I thought it would be a nice idea to make my Berry Crunchy Coconut Slice as lots of people had asked about it. I made it with Strawberries & Blueberries instead of Raspberries & Strawberries so it wasn't quite the same but everyone said they liked it - although they could have been lying.

Friday was one of those "should have stayed in bed" days. I dont know what happens to me but some days I just seem to get everything wrong. Also my parents were coming for lunch and I wanted to show them what I made & finish on time to have lunch with them - nope, not possible!