PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

My name is Lorraine, I live in Gorey in North Wexford with my 2 daughters and my niece. I am an Irish Witch, Storyteller and Forest Guide.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR OWN FOOD TOUR AND WHAT LOCATIONS ARE INCLUDED?

I focus on woodland foraging and what remedies and seasonal dishes you can make from what you find. A perfect example of this is my autumn favourite “hedgerow ketchup” made with hawthorn hips, hogweed seeds and crabapples! Though I also have a fondness for Sloe Vodka!
Because of my witchcraft background I blend in Celtic Tree Spirituality, fairy folklore and a little magic along the way. I am pretty sure no one else is doing anything like this!I work out of Courtown woods as it is an extremely special place with a wonderful blend of native deciduous trees and plenty of foragable treats, in the springtime the place is blanketed with delicious wild garlic!

WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR FOOD TOUR COME FROM?

It came out of Covid. In 2019 I was working as a private driver/guide for international visitors and an almost fully booked diary for 2020. Then in March came the lockdown! I spent much of that time in the woods, mainly walking and foraging and trying to figure out what to do next. I brought a few friends for walks and they were saying “Duh! Do this, its amazing!” So I started late Spring of 2021 and it has gone from there!I think after lockdown so many people had a new appreciation for the outdoors and were delighted to find someone who could tell them what they were looking at and what to do with it!

PLEASE CAN YOU SHARE THE TOP THREE EXPEIRENCES GUESTS CAN EXPECT ON YOUR FOOD TOUR?

What leaf when added to water turns to soap
What commonly found weed makes the best hangover cure
What commonly found weed, when gone to seed tastes like a cross between cumin and ginger

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO SUPPORT LOCAL IRISH FOOD BUSINESSES, IN YOUR OPINION?

Vitally! There are so many reasons. Its better for your local economy, better for your health, better for planet Earth, better for your taste buds! There are no negatives.

IF SOMEONE WAS TO VISIT YOUR COUNTY FOR THE FIRST TIME WHAT RESTAURANT WOULD YOU SUGGEST AND WHY?

Hard question….. I think I would send them to Table Forty One in Gorey. Only because I know the owner and chef uses foraged ingredients and 100% local produce. Plus he makes a really good steak!

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS THE PERFECT IRISH DISH/FOOD FOR INCOMING TOURISTS TO IRELAND?

I think we fail to appreciate the really good ingredients we have here. I have seen visitors go wild over a chilled glass of non-homogenized milk or a slice of soda bread with homemade butter. There is no perfect dish, but there is perfect company and for that I would suggest they join me for one of my Taste Wexford Storytelling lunches where they will enjoy the best local food and some really good stories!