Enjoy the real flavour of Christmas at Fernhill House Hotel in Clonakilty

10 November 2009

A Tradition of Good Taste

Christmas is all about celebrating traditions. Celebrating over four decades in business Fernhill House Hotel, Clonakilty understand traditions more than most. On Friday the 11th of December local businesses can celebrate Christmas with their teams at an exclusive Christmas Party with a menu designed by renowned Head Chef Dee Rettali.

Companies have been going to Fernhill House Hotel year after year for their Christmas parties. This year, they will notice some new changes to the hotel as it has been through an extensive refurbishment over the past two years, outside and inside. To celebrate Christmas the evening will begin with a mulled wine reception in the foyer of the hotel as guests mingle by the roaring fire, enjoying the famous Fernhill welcome.

They will then be led to the Banqueting hall where they will be served a four course sumptuous feast made with local produce.  Desserts at Fernhill are a speciality and this year guests can enjoy chocolate fondant with white chocolate cream or Christmas pudding from the Fernhill Bakery served with a brandy cream followed by Fernhill House Mince Pies.

Musicians, the Fantastic Zodiacs are guaranteed to have guests on the dance floor all night to celebrate Christmas the Fernhill way. Michael and Teresa O' Neill own Fernhill House Hotel. Michael, who grew up in Fernhill House Hotel says; "I've seen many Christmas celebrations here at Fernhill House Hotel. There is no doubt but this year has been a tough year for the local business community but we are asking people to put their troubles away for one night and to celebrate the festive season with their friends and colleagues.  The office Christmas party is still something that many people look forward to at Christmas time and is so important for staff morale all year round.  We're planning on putting on a great show on Dec 11th and we assure people that Fernhill will be a recession free zone!"

The Fernhill Christmas Party night is on Dec 11th and costs €45 per person. Guests who would like to spend the night in the new suites will enjoy a reduced rate of €45 per person including a full Irish breakfast.  For bookings call (023)8833258 or see www.fernhillhousehotel.comEditor's Notes:  Head Chef Dee Retalli's recipe for Italian Chocolate Christmas cake follows:

Head Chef, Dee Rettali began working at Fernhill House Hotel a couple of years ago.  Having trained in London, Dee brought a French style of cooking combined with a West Cork twist to the menus at Fernhill. Cork born, Dee Rettali trained with Justin de Blank at the Waterside Restaurant in the Barbican in London. She had an apprenticeship with Irene Mbarek at the Pudding club, which sold to the Ritz & the Savoy. She then owned her own patisserie "Patisserie" She made headlines in the UK when she created the first ever organic wedding cake as well as a birthday cake for Prince Charles.

This recipe is always popular in Fernhill House Hotel and is served as part of their Sunday Lunch.   

Italian Christmas Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

6oz unsalted butter6oz caster sugar11oz good quality dark chocolate2oz chopped walnuts2 oz chopped skinned almonds3oz hazelnuts5 large eggs separated5 oz cooked chopped chestnutsZest of 1 orange½ tsp cinnamon2oz ground almonds

1. Melt the butter and sugar then add the chocolate. Cool slightly2. Toast all the nuts in a dry pan until they turn golden3. Add the egg yolks, zest, all but a handful of nuts and the cinnamon to the   chocolate mix.4. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture.5. Finally fold in the ground almonds - pour into an 8" round tin and bake for 45mins   at 180c (Gas 4).6. Melt some chocolate and pour over the cake when cool, add the handful of remaining  nuts and dust with icing sugar.