Janine is a professional chef, culinary school instructor and freelance journalist with a degree in political science. She attended culinary school and learned her trade in Toronto before she moved to Tipperary, where she lives with her husband and three daughters on their family's dairy farm. Passionate about showcasing the beautiful produce grown in Tipperary, Janine loves to offer contemporary Irish cuisine steeped in the history of Tipperary. She hosts the experience at her friend’s café in Thurles. Tipperary is known produce some of the best cheese and dairy in the country. Janine’s menus regularly feature fresh dairy, homemade cheese and butter, as well as local lamb and beef from the region. Janine is an avid traveler and finds that her best experiences have often involved food – she loves teaching and bringing people together over food. Passionate about tourism and the impact it has on local economies, all her menus feature local producers. Janine hosts with her friend Lucy (a cocktail and coffee connoisseur), offering a five-course Tipperary terroir dinner experience at Lucy’s café in Thurles. The café is located just off Ireland’s ancient East route, a five-minute drive from Holy Cross Abbey, a popular tourist destination. Meet your host Janine at her friend Lucy’s cozy, ecletic café, featuring the art of many local artists on its walls, for your private culinary experience. You will join Janine and Lucy at a rustic wooden table and sip on a refreshing drink as you get to know your Tipperary host. You will then be treated to a five-course seasonal tasting menu created from locally-sourced ingredients. Your menu will be a modern take on traditional Irish dishes and may include dishes such as local charcuterie from heritage beef served with homemade pickles, Irish greens empanada with green goddess dressing made from foraged wild greens and herbs, or a lamb neck confit with buttered cabbage. For dessert enjoy a sweet dessert like baked apple soufflé with crème Anglaise and a trio of Tipperary cheeses with homemade chutneys. If you choose the optional alcohol add-on, Janine will pair your food with four locally-brewed craft beers. If you book a cooking experience, join Janine in the cafe kitchen to learn to make three dishes from scratch in a hands-on cooking lesson that will last about an hour.