Is this the biggest gingerbread house in Ireland? Chef Chandima of Dromoland Castle spent a week with the help of another chef making this amazingly detailed gingerbread house. The 0.75m by 0.4m edifice contains more than 15kg of gingerbread dough.
Ireland’s Biggest Gingerbread House is in Dromoland Castle
Each year at Dromoland Castle the pastry team, headed by Chef Chandima, designs an original creation for Christmas. The massive installation appears in the castle’s lobby from 12 December and is transported on a wooden base by a team of chefs. The annual creations get bigger and bolder. At Easter there is a chocolate inspired display.
Chef Chandima Gamage, Head Pastry Chef is from Sri Lanka, and has worked at the Royale Mirage, Dubai and Le Gavroche Restaurant London. He has worked in Dromoland Castle’s pastry kitchen with his supreme artistic talents since 2008.
Chandy, as he goes by, has a ‘no fear’ approach to pastry. His natural ability with sugar, chocolate and presentation coupled with his acutely trained palette allow him to create pastries and desserts that quite simply are sublime. Not to mention the show stoppers at special events.
Visitors are welcome at Dromoland Castle to see this amazing gingerbread house and take photographs. Or why not stay for tea in the lavishly decorated castle, with crackling log fires and the scent of pine and ginger filling the air.
Afternoon tea is served in the opulent surroundings of the Earl of Thomond Dining Room. It begins with a selection of loose-leaf teas including special blends like Christmas Punch and Dromoland Festive Spice.
Capturing the magic of this most delicious of traditions, begin with a selection of delectable sandwiches, including a Rueben spiced beef baguette, bronze turkey and Limerick ham with sage and onion mayo, and Burren smoked salmon with caper and onion.
Sweet treats include fresh Dromoland scones, served warm with raspberry preserve and clotted cream. Delectable pastries with seasonal flair include spiced clementine cheesecake, chocolate & Bailey’s cake, delicious sherry trifle pots and classics like Dromoland Christmas cake and mincemeat pastry roulade.
Add a little extra sparkle and choose a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne with the festive afternoon feast. Festive Afternoon Tea, €45 per person, plus service charge of 17.5%.
Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea, with a glass of Louis Roederer €60 plus service charge of 17.5%
Book on (+353) 061368144 Dromoland Castle.
