Kilkeel is one of Ireland's most important fishing ports and, as the home of Northern Ireland’s largest fishing fleet, it's become known as the “Seafood Capital of the Mountains of Mourne”.
Overlooking Kilkeel harbour, the Nautilus Centre houses the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre (which tells the story of the local fishing and maritime heritage, with touch screen technology), Kilkeel Tourist Information Office - and this state-of-the-art cookery school, which offers a range of cookery courses and demonstrations on local seafood.
Just the place to learn more about what to look for when buying, handling and cooking seafood, it aims to be a fun, relaxed, learning experience.
Classes are hosted by Roger Moynihan, Head Chef of the lovely Sweet Pea Café in Warrenpoint, and designed for all levels, from the beginner to the more experienced cook and, while the main aim is to teach how fish is caught, filleted, handled and cooked, a wide range of non-seafood classes is also offered.
Sustainability is a constant theme at the school and ingredients are sourced from local food producers as much as possible; a range of local produce is also stocked for sale in the cookery school.
The cost of seafood cookery demonstrations depends on the size of the group (£15 for 10 - 14 people, £10 for 15 - 23 people and £7 for 24 – 46 people) and seafood cookery classes are available, 2.5 hours – £50 per person, 3.5 hours - £65 per person and 5.5 hours - £120 per person including lunch, which you will have cooked yourself.
Events are also held throughout the year - see cookery school website for details.
