Irish Hors D'Oeuvres Fit for a President
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - When Robert Goodrick, owner of the British Butcher Shoppe, received a call from the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver giving him 24 hours notice for a special order, Robert and his European trained chef Gerry Davenport were far too busy to wonder about the nature of the event.
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ROBERT GOODRICK
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Hundreds of specialty Irish food items were prepared and promptly delivered on schedule to the hotel. What a surprise when Robert later learned that the reception was for the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese on her recent visit to Vancouver. Many guests at the event commented on the excellent hors d’oeuvres.
Describing the food that was fit for a President, Goodrick said, “we prepared 450 two-inch beef and Guinness pies, 550 three-inch Irish pasties and enough Irish short back bacon, black and white puddings and beef sausages to feed 200 people.
“The hors d’oeuvres were for the evening reception and the bacon, puddings and sausages were for an early morning trade mission breakfast. I’m also pleased that we’ve received some very favourable comments about the food at both events.”
A year ago, the British Butcher moved two doors down into larger premises to accommodate the growing volume of business. This year, Robert has noticed his wholesale orders have taken a huge jump and the larger premises along with more exposure has also meant an increase in the retail as well.
Anyone hosting a wedding reception or any other event can order the “President McAleese hors d’oeuvres,” Robert said. “For this kind of hors d’oeuvres we need at least 72 hours notice, because everything is made by hand. We are not quantity but quality and if you want quality, then it takes time.”
The British Butcher Shoppe is located at 703 Queensbury Avenue in North Vancouver, call (604) 985-2444, or visit: www.thebritishbutchershoppe.com.
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