Westmeath farmer Emma to feature on Mark Moriarty's RTE show

Kieran Galvin

Westmeath dairy farmer Emma McCormack will feature on Cook-In with Mark Moriarty which airs on RTÉ One tonight (Wednesday), June 3 at 8.30pm.

In the programme (sponsored by Bord Bia), presenter and chef Mark chats to Emma from Streamstown to learn how the farming sector is coping with the Covid-19 challenges.

Emma tends to over 400 cows as well as helping on her parents’ sheep farm. She explains that older farmers in particular were “social-distancing” long before the Covid-19 pandemic struck as many farmers work in isolation.

The 23-year-old tells Mark that she is a member of a group chat with other farmers from all over Ireland, called the Farmers Support Group. This group has been a great source of support for some farmers who don’t see anyone from one end of the day to the other, which can be a very lonely experience. The group is a place for them to have a chat or speak about any issues they’re having, whether that is a bad day on the farm or worries about the effects of the pandemic on their livelihood.

“Farming is not an easy job, there are no days off and things don’t always go according to plan. However, it is the greatest occupation in the world, feeding the nation. If you really love what you’re doing, it won’t ever feel like work,” Emma says.

Emma splits her time between working on a neighbouring dairy farm and her father’s suckling and sheep farm in Westmeath. On her parents farm, they have a herd of 100 cows and 300 ewes.

She admits that social distancing on farms can be a challenge at times, especially when a vet comes to tend to a sick animal. One positive Emma has noticed in recent times is that consumers are becoming more conscious of where their produce is coming from.

But Emma feels sorry for older farmers whose social life is hugely affected as marts are very much on lockdown and it’s a 'one in, one out' system.

Normally many young farmers like Emma would attend Macra meetings, but for now they have to make do with a WhatsApp group which they use to keep in touch and to check how others are coping. Emma also regularly updates her Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/emmamc_farmingqueen/) to stay connected with other farmers and indeed the wider world.

Turning to the cooking on tonight's show, Mark offers up a straightforward recipe for bread-crumbed fish cakes using the finest Irish hake, finished off with seasoned crème fraiche, smoked salmon and a fine herb salad.

For his 'daily bake', Mark rustles up some homemade brioche buns, ideal for when you fire up the barbecue.

Mark also shares a three-step recipe for making your own mouth-watering homemade lamb burgers that will satisfy everyone’s appetite.

Continuing with the burger theme, Mark attempts to replicate elements of a dish from one of his favourite burger restaurants, Belle’s Hot Chicken in Melbourne: the Nashville fried chicken sandwich with hot sauce. A word of warning – this is an indulgent dish, but Mark promises it’ll be one of the best burgers you’ll ever eat, with tender chicken thighs oozing with flavour. For Mark, the hot sauce is what makes this burger so special, and after some trial and error he thinks he has mastered this recipe.