September is the most perfect time for feasting, we are in the midst of the harvest season and everything is in abundance, from the fields and from the hedgerows. This year’s Autumn equinox supper club is inspired by Banbha - one of the trio of sovereignty goddesses from the Tuatha de danann (the ancient race of the gods & faeries in Ireland) along with her sisters Ériu and Fódla. Banbha, as an earth mother goddess presided over the culmination of the bountiful harvest in Ireland.
For this supper club we’re travelling to Sicily, to Mexico, to India and, of course, to Ireland - revisiting lots of my favourite places. Drawing on all the beautiful produce that is available at this time of year we’ll be feasting on charred corn, sweet roasted grapes, slow cooked tomatoes, tender pulled pork with gentle spices, soft creamy squash with zingy salsas, deep purple berries, caramelised apples and the most delicious crisp pastry. It’s going to be a feast for all the senses.
I’ll be hosting this supper club in the beautiful Mother of the Woods Retreat. Located between Saintfield and Lisburn this is a gorgeous Georgian house and retreat centre owned and run by Essential Nature Yoga.
Banbha’s Bia: Autumn Equinox Supper Club @ Mother of the Woods Retreat
Thursday 12th, Friday 13th & Saturday 14th September 2024
On arrival:
Elderberry Kir Royale
Roasted grape, thyme & goat’s cheese crostini
Gilda with young buck and pickled carrot
To start:
Charred corn chaat with lime, chilli, sour cream and tortilla chips
To continue:
Sfincione - Sicilian pizza with tomato, onion, anchovies and caciocavallo
The main event:
Pork Pibil, slow cooked pork shoulder with citrus, spices and achiote paste
Roasted squash and beets on quinoa with green mole & red salsa
Ribboned courgettes and avocado, lime and chilli
Mexican-style slaw with apple, cumin and toasted seeds
Rice and beans
Pink pickled onions & sour cream
To refresh:
Hedgerow sorbet with blackberry and bay
For pudding:
Caramelised apple, hazelnut brittle & sweet geranium cream mille feuille
Round the fire pit:
Chamomile tea & lavender shortbread
The drinks: This event is BYO. Please bring a bottle (or more) of your favourite tipple. A welcome drink will be provided on arrival
The time: 7pm on Thursday 12th, Friday 13th or Saturday 14th September 2024. If you are planning on booking a taxi or organising a lift we’d suggest organising that for 11pm.
The place: Mother of the Woods Retreat, 31 Back Road, Cargacreevy, Lisburn , BT27 6TR (please see the event confirmation email for full details on how to find the venue - but DO NOT go to the Back Road in Drumbo)
The cost: £70 per person (includes booking fees), for a six-course menu plus a few extras.
Keeping warm: This event will be hosted inside the beautiful dining spaces at Mother of the Woods. Weather permitting welcome drinks will be outside and we may light the firepit at the end of the evening. Please bring an extra layer or two to keep you cosy during the welcome drinks and around the fire pit.
Seating: You will be seated with other guests. If you are not comfortable sitting with other people then please do not book tickets as unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to seat groups separately.
Dietary Requirements: This menu is suitable for vegetarians. We can cater for gluten free and dairy free/vegan guests, you must let us know in advance if you are gluten free or dairy free. For all other dietary requirements just let us know when you book and we’ll try our absolute best to accommodate you.
Cancellation Policy: We have recently updated our cancellation policy and we now charge an administrative fee for cancellations up to one week in advance of the event. If you cancel less than one week before the event we cannot offer a refund unless we can resell your tickets. All tickets are transferable if you can find another guest to come in your place. For full details of our cancellation policy please click here.
