Athy turns out in force to launch Graham's tasty new book!
Athy Library staff Anne Gilbride, Ann Kearney and Sinead Ennis with author Graham Herterich Photos: Luke Wynne
A huge crowd descended on Athy Library on Tuesday 17 September to help mark the launch of a local man’s second book.
by Graham Herterich takes a fun, honest look at the food that makes us uniquely Irish.
The book was launched by food writer John McKenna who told those gathered that Graham is “the best baker in Ireland” and someone who “pushes back against what is the norm”.
A native of Athy, Graham grew up living above his family’s pork butcher shop at Number 4 Duke Street. He developed his love affair with baking as a young child while learning to cook at his granny’s side and continued his training in Culinary Arts at Waterford Institute of Technology.
His early career included stints at well-known restaurants and hotels such as Kilkea Castle, Marlfield House, Mount Juliet, Chapter One, Peacock Alley and The Commons.
Graham briefly left the industry to spend two years as part of the Carmelite community before returning to it at age 21, ultimately founding The Cupcake Bloke in 2012 and opening his first retail store, The Bakery, in Rialto, Dublin, in 2018.
Cook explores the unique way we eat in Ireland, from the five mealtimes of breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and supper to particular Irish things such as tea and biscuits, the ‘mammy salad’ and a Tayto sandwich.
Cherished Irish classics such as the chicken fillet roll and the uniquely Irish combo of lasagne, coleslaw and chips all feature alongside modern versions updated with the flavours and ingredients available to us now.
Memories are shared through various recipes. Graham recalls that growing up in Athy there was no central heating and the house was quite cold during winter, but his mum ensured they were warm going to bed. His favourite warm drink was always hot milk and honey.
