A Fabulous Evening

Our Parents' Council did the college proud with a fabulous evening of international food and drink - details of what was on offer when I recover sufficiently to sit up straight and find my menu. Patrice Bonnargent set us up for the evening with a spot of sniffing and swirling as we learnt a bit of wine tasting. There followed an amazing menu of starters, including the local oysters and mussels which usually make us panic, alongside stuffed vine leaves and Korean noodles. Then, after a little chatting and soothing strains from Ollie Elsholtz and Niall Greer of 'Ten Pin Blues', we tucked into chicken dishes of various nationalities, lentil dahl from Mauritius, curries and Irish stew. More wine, more music, winning of prizes for the lucky people and we rounded off with delicious almond cake, followed by tea and coffee with Danish cookies. There was more, and more and more. A very special treat came as we gradually realised that the background music wasn't a recorded artist, but out own Niomi O'Rourke playing piano and singing her own songs - a perfect ending to a perfect evening. Remembering all the thankyous makes me as nervous as remembering all the dishes. I just had too good a time: first and foremost, Joy Bonnargent without whose enthusiasm and creative skills the evening would never have happened; all the other parents; our own Anne Carlin for sharing her precious kitchen; our wonderful musicians and singer; all our guests who brought the craic - everyone else, who momentarily escape my curried mind!