Timoleague Blue Skies & Ummera Smoked Duck

A friend of ours was visiting from Germany for St Patricks Day and putting on my tourism Ireland hat, and particularly because it was a super sunny Friday morning, I made contact with Anthony Cresswell of Ummera Smoked Products and hastily arranged a guided tour of his smokery by the banks of the Argideen river outside Timoleague.I've known Anthony for a number of years as we are both members of West Cork Fuchsia Brand and Good Food Ireland so I was in no doubt that he would ensure my guest would receive a cead mille failte and of course he duly did. The Ummera product range comprised of smoked fish up to a few years ago but has since been increased to include smoked chicken and duck. Infact, the smoked duck won the coveted 3 gold star award at last years Great Taste Awards in the UK. It was refreshing to see how well Anthony has set up his business and the emphasis he has for providing good food of the highest quality. He exports to many of the leading stores across the UK and Europe and can be found on the menus of many of Ireland's leading restuarants.
I couldn't resist the smoked duck on offer and later that evening tried it with our Carrigaline cheese biscuits and a plum sauce. Absolutely fabulous if I say so myself. So simple and quick to assemble, it makes the perfect gourmet snack. Yesterday my friend emailed from Germany to express thanks for the brief holiday, the trip to Anthonys and for the splendid good weather - which I'll try and take credit for!