Academy Players to Join Top Chef in Thomond Park

“An Evening with Richard Corrigan” will take place at Thomond Park Stadium on Tuesday September 14th, 2010.

The rugby themed event will see three rising young stars from the Munster Rugby Academy tog out beside the award winning chef to showcase their recently acquired culinary skills.

Munster Rugby Academy Players, Kieran Essex, Mike Sherry and Conor Murray, will line out beside Richard Corrigan to prepare some recipes that are in keeping with the nutritional advice they have learned as part of their academy training.

The nutrition lifestyle and food programme was designed by home economist Agnes Bouchier-Hayes in conjunction with Munster Rugby’s Nutritional Advisor, Graeme Close to bridge the gap between the theory and the practical.

“A gap was identified amongst our developing players, it became clear that the application of the nutritional advice was being understood however the players lacked the practical skills needed to implement it.” Ian Sherwin, Munster Academy Manager explained.

“We acted and brought on some highly skilled people to develop the programme that gives our players the skill and knowledge on where to apply the theory in a practical way each and every day,” he added.

“An Evening with Richard Corrigan” also offers the public a unique opportunity to witness first hand the expertise of Ireland’s most prolific chef who prides himself on his no nonsense, honest approach to cooking.

“I love the alchemy that surrounds Thomond Park, it is honest and pure, just like my cooking,” Richard Corrigan explained.

On the night, the audience will also get to sample a wide range of produce from some of the top food suppliers in the mid west including, Garett’s Butchers, The Country Basket, Adare Farm Foods, Curragower Seafood Bar, Cahill’s Cheese, Nature’s Bounty Preserves and Green Saffron.

“Limerick is a vibrant riverside city with a bevy of exciting local producers, who I’m really looking forward to meeting and getting to know much better between now and September 14th. I mean how fantastic to get an opportunity to cook off against these rising young Munster lads!” added the celebrity chef.

Food lovers will enjoy mouth-watering canapés prepared by Masterchefs accompanied by a selection of wines from Thomond Reserve; a French wine reserve inspired by some of the Munster players.

A raffle will include some top prizes including dinner for two in a private suite at Thomond Park prepared on the night by Richard Corrigan himself.

Dinner for two at the master chef’s Michelin Star Mayfair restaurant in London is also up for grabs and all proceeds from the raffle will go to the Munster Rugby Academy.

Speaking at today’s launch Thomond Park Stadium Director John Cantwell said the upcoming food demonstration further illustrates the scope of Thomond Park as a venue.

“I am delighted to welcome Richard Corrigan to Thomond Park on September 14th. This event promises to be a wonderful and unique evening of culinary expertise and entertainment and it further enhances our reputation as a top class multipurpose venue,” he said.

Tickets for this unique event are on sale now and are available from Thomond Park Stadium on 061 421103 / 061 421106 or on the website: www.thomondpark.ie