Regular readers will know that I do a bit of cycling. The day that I post this, I will be taking part in the 2015 Paris2Nice Cycle to raise funds for an Irish national suicide charity. It involves 75 cyclists from Ireland riding over 700 kilometres, with a number of us taking on the dreaded Mont Ventoux as part of the exercise. This is the 5th year of Paris2Nice and, to date, the endeavours have raised well over two million euro for a number of worthy causes.
One of our fundraising events was the Wine and Dine event hosted by Kevin Hui at his China Sichuan Restaurant in Sandyford, south Dublin. Kevin has done a huge amount for Paris2Nice. He’s that kind of person. When we were discussing how we could make the event that bit different, Kevin suggested that we could have a multi-course evening with appropriate wines. He also floated the idea that I might like to have a hand in preparing one of the courses. This caused me some trepidation. Why? Because some of Ireland’s top chefs have and are cycling in Paris2Nice. Many would be there in the crowd of 140 generous souls, all supporting the great works. I’m just a bloke who cooks at home. What if I made a mess of it (as I often do)? The bar (or should that be dining table) is set pretty high.
I have previously devised a para-Oriental Sous Vide Pork Fillet. It’s a delicious dish. Kevin suggested that we could use it for a course at the dinner. I produced a couple of samples and then Kevin got me to work with Chef Andrew at the China Sichuan.
We (he) slaved hard to make it something special that would be suitable for paying customers. Customers who were there to support a great cause. I think we (he) got it right.
There’s no recipe on this post. You can have a look at my original here. Chef Andrew has lifted this from “pretty good for a home cook” to “Wow, that’s delicious!”
I have thought a lot about why Kevin would ask me to produce a course rather than any of the (other) leading Irish chefs who have been and are part of Paris2Nice? He did it for me. It was an incredibly generous gesture. One that I really, really appreciate.
I loved my experience with Chef Andrew in the China Sichuan kitchen and I know that I will be a better cook for it.
But, that’s the thing about Paris2Nice, it seems that everybody who gets involved gives a lot of themselves, usually quietly and without fuss. Kevin, like so many others, does a huge amount, encouraging, cajoling and assisting. It seems no-one wants anything out of it for themselves. Everybody is there to help and support each other and I think that’s why we all get so much back. Thanks Kevin.
StefanGourmet | 19th September 2015
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Looks and sounds like a great experience. Well deserved, Conor!
Conor Bofin | 19th September 2015
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Thanks Stefan,
All good fun.
katechiconi | 19th September 2015
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A beautiful dish of Good Work, prepared with a Helping Hand and liberally seasoned with Kindness and Humility. One of your better efforts…
Conor Bofin | 19th September 2015
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Thanks Kate. I am replying from a small French town on day one of this great adventure.
Best as ever,
Conor
katechiconi | 19th September 2015
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Go n-éirí an bóthar leat . Best of luck.
Eha | 19th September 2015
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Shall be with you all the way! May the weather behave and may all of you enjoy . . . and may you gather piles of cash for a hugely worthwhile cause . . .
Eha | 22nd September 2015
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Rather late I just had to use Mr Google, tho’ I kind’of knew the feeling! Beautifully said and I have learned another tad of Gaelic!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thanks Eha, and thanks for the kind donation. I got up Mt. Ventoux yesterday. It nearly broke me. Not quite but nearly. The hardest thing I have ever done on a bike. I am elated today.
Best as ever,
Conor
deirdremagner | 19th September 2015
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Great cause, great event, great food – everybody wins! Love the post!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thank you Deirdre, you are right on all three!
Best,
Conor
realophile | 19th September 2015
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outstanding! both the opportunity and the fact that giving of ones-self is never empty of returns. enjoy the ride!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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It was a great event in the end. Everybody attending enjoyed themselves no end and we raised a good few quid for Console. As you say, everybody wins.
Thanks,
C
Food,Photography & France | 19th September 2015
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Good on you…..very impressive, Conor.
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thanks Roger,
Any excuse to get to France!
Jody and Ken | 19th September 2015
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Good ride!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thanks Folks,
Thanks too for the donation. We have raised a good few quid now and many worthy causes will have benefited once we are done.
tinywhitecottage | 19th September 2015
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Such an enriching experience Conor, all of it. What a lovely menu and what a ride!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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The cycle is really only the bonus. Everything else in the process has been great. They warned me that it would be life changing. It has been. A bit more cycling to do and then we are done.
Paul Palop | 20th September 2015
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awesome stuff Conor!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thanks Paul,
All great fun indeed.
Best,
Conor
viveka | 20th September 2015
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Conor, great cause … great event … what a fantastic experience. I smell the aroma … all the way to Sweden. *smile
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thank you Viveka,
You should come to Ireland to try it!
Best,
Conor
viveka | 23rd September 2015
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Conor, I lived on Ireland for 11 years in total … 1 year in Dún Laoghaire and 10 years in Belfast. I love Ireland .. I have always said that Ireland is the place you miss before you have left it.
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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I grew up in Monkstown. We may have passed each other on the street!
viveka | 23rd September 2015
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Have spent many nice evenings with great food in Monktown. So that is very likely.
Anne Bonney | 20th September 2015
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That dish is a work of art. Nicely done.
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thank you Anne,
Chef Andrew is responsible. He is an artist.
Best,
C
foodisthebestshitever | 21st September 2015
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Bang on Conor. What an effing thrill eh! Looks like a worthy dish my friend.
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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The cause is far more worthy than the dish. It is pretty worthy itself, for sure.
foodisthebestshitever | 23rd September 2015
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Amen that 👍
Debbie Spivey | 21st September 2015
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Such a great way to make a difference in this world we live in, Conor. Thanks for sharing the experience with us!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thank you Debbie,
I had a lot of fun doing it. I learned a lot and we raised a deal of cash for worthy causes. That’s the way to roll, if one can.
Hope all is good in the Mountain Kitchen,
Conor
Vasun | 21st September 2015
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That’s a lovely looking plate of food! And all the best for your ride!
Conor Bofin | 23rd September 2015
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Thanks,
Andrew is the man responsible. All I brought was a pretty raw idea.
Best,
Conor
anotherfoodieblogger | 25th September 2015
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I got back on Sunday from a four-day fund-raising trip, of sorts. (As well as a LOT of drinking and shenanigans.) It appears you probably are a bit more the fitter in your endeavors than I am. However, we were able to raise about $4,000 US towards the funding of Raptor and Wildlife Rescue centers, yay! I am very glad you got to participate in both the food and cycling part of this, you are a fine man, Conor! Your dish looks scrumptious!
Conor Bofin | 25th September 2015
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Too kind Kathryn (on the fine man bit). The meal was pretty special.
Conor Bofin | 25th September 2015
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There were no drinking and shenanigans on our trip, honest…
Mad Dog | 25th September 2015
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Excellent – I bet that was fun – the cooking and the ride 🙂
Conor Bofin | 25th September 2015
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Great fun MD. Sitting in Nice airport now, waiting for my flight back to reality.
Mad Dog | 25th September 2015
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I hope you got to eat some good food at the end of your long ride 🙂
Conor Bofin | 25th September 2015
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Far too much!
Mad Dog | 25th September 2015
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Good 😉
Anonymous | 27th September 2015
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this dish looks delicious 🙂
Tara Sparling | 3rd October 2015
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Wow, Conor. Sounds like a terrifying prospect. That would be like me being invited to trade insults with the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket. But the last photo of the master and apprentice says it all – I hope you framed it (and put a shrine around it). Well done on the cycle. A mountain of many metaphorical proportions.
Conor Bofin | 4th October 2015
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Thanks Tara, I’m building the shrine as I type.