The arrival of the first new potatoes is always cause for celebration and we are very happy to report that as we speak, though still in the ground, the first delivery of Wexford grower Nicky Keogh’s Home guards are being prepared for picking and will be delivered instore tomorrow morning.

There has never been more awareness about eating seasonally and Home Guards, a creamy coloured potato with loose, thin skin and a waxy flesh will for many be the taste they associate as heralding the start of summer with all the lovely connotations that that brings, warm sunny days, long bright evenings and time to kick back a little.

As though we are not spoilt enough, we will also be taking our first delivery of this year’s Drummond House Garlic Scapes.  Specialising in Irish Garlic and asparagus, the good folk at Drummond House farm in the village of Baltray in Louth harvest their scapes about three weeks before the garlic itself to the delight of chefs all over the Ireland. Only available for a short period each year, scapes make for sumptuous dishes. They can be whizzed into wonderful pesto, hummus and salads or blanched in olive oil sea salt, black pepper and grilled for 2 minutes allowing the flavours to sweeten and mellow.