Molloy’s speciality and fine food emporium has double reason to celebrate this week. It’s the first anniversary of Roscommon’s only speciality and fine food emporium and the 85th anniversary of the Molloy’s business in Roscommon. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, you are invited along to the in-store celebrations which take place all day on Friday and Saturday. You’ll get an opportunity to taste the fruits of the Molloy family’s skill at baking, a skill built up over four generations, so it’s bound to be good! You’ll also be able to sample some of the region’s finest foods, a vast range of which is now available at Molloy’s. For a food enthusiast, Molloy’s Fine Food Emporium is a heavenly collection of the finest breads, cakes, teas, coffees and condiments available in the West of Ireland. It’s a year since Declan Molloy decided to take the store down a new route, that of speciality foods and fine foods, and the decision has certainly proved a winner. The speciality food at Molloy’s is bread and cakes and a wide range of fine food has been sourced to complement the bakery range. Molloy’s has diversified in recent years away from standard products, offering customers a new take on traditional foods. One product which has proved hugely popular is spelt bread, as well as spelt cake and spelt Christmas cakes. Spelt is an alternative cereal and Declan notes that many people have an intolerance to wheat and are looking for something different. Another popular product from the bakery at Molloy’s is the Low GI multi-seed bread. GI is glycaemic index and the bread is a slow release food suitable for diabetic people, as low GI food gives you sustained energy. While the new products are popular, the old favourites are also very much a central part of life at Molloy’s, whether it is the soda bread, white and brown pans and other confectionary. ‘We are still doing our traditional breads, soda breads, white and brown pans, still using tins from the original bakery in 1922,’ said Declan. Christmas is a very special time at Molloy’s, a time for traditional bread and cakes for Christmas, rich fruit cakes, plum puddings and mince pies. This week Declan is advising people wishing to get special items from the bakery for Christmas to order in advance because the food is cooked to order. ‘We would like people to order their speciality products in advance, for example diabetic cakes and puddings, which have been a big success. Because there’s no sugar and we use no artificial preservatives, it doesn’t keep, so we make them to order.’ You can also shop at Molloy’s safe in the knowledge that you’re not leaving behind a gigantic carbon footprint, because all ingredients are sourced as close to home as possible. ‘We source as many of our whole meals as possible from a small mill, Kell’s wholemeals in Bennettsbridge in Kilkenny. We have tried where possible to source products as close to home as possible and that tradition has followed through into the speciality fine food range in the shop.’ Also, all the coffee used in the coffee shop at Molloy’s is Fair Trade and Fair Trade products are for sale in the shop. ‘When we took the decision to revamp, we made a decision that all the resources and tradesmen would be sourced locally and close to Roscommon, so all the work has been done by local tradesmen and people need only come in to see the quality of the workmanship to see the quality of the tradespeople that we have in Roscommon. Our policy is that we buy local and support local. ‘We have put millions of euro back into the local economy. There are over 40 staff at the moment, that’s lots of pay packets and we like to feel that we are an integral part of the Roscommon community.’ The store was recently one of four finalists in the ‘Best in Fresh Awards’, reaching the final four in the ‘Speciality and fine food store’ category. The range of fine food available at Molloy’s is vast. For example Kylemore Herbs in Ballinasloe supplies herbs, spices and rubs and also does a mulled wine spice which customers will be able to sample on Friday and Saturday. Castlecoote House apple jelly jam is available, as is Annette Fayne’s handiwork in the shape of jams and marmalades from Woodberry Preserves. Seaweed sausages must be checked out and Declan and the staff in the bakery are looking at doing a seaweed soda bread. Gallweys supply 100 percent Irish handmade chocolates from Co. Waterford and once again, drop by on Saturday and you can see exactly how delicious they are. Veronica Molloy’s Crossogue preserves and honey from Offaly also have to be tasted as does the yoghurt and probiotic drinks from Kelly Organic in Mullingar. Fig mustard is one of the more popular condiments at Molloy’s at the moment, but Declan also reports brisk business for sauces and patés, hummus and stuffed chestnuts as well as duck and goose fat and chemical and additive-free lemonade. The development of a fine food emporium at Molloy’s coincided with the development of a coffee shop on the premises. Lasagne, cottage pie, panini and wraps, soup and sandwiches are available and each day there is a lunchtime special e.g. chicken curry or a chicken dish freshly prepared by the chef. ‘The first year has gone well. People like the fare on offer and the little extra touches, such as dressings,’ said Declan. The coffee shop has proved popular with teachers, local office workers and a great place to meet for a coffee after the shopping is done. Order sheets are now available in-store for customers who want products over the Christmas. ‘We would advise people to order fresh cream cakes and gateaux in advance. We are also taking orders for cooked turkeys and hams.’ Bread and other products from Molloy’s bakery are also available at Roscommon Farmers Market every Friday and Athlone Farmers Market on Saturday morning. If there’s a foodie in your family, then there’s lots of Christmas gift ideas at Molloy’s, such as pre-prepared hampers (ranging in price from €30 upwards), jam and preserve gift packs, organic wine, condiments, cheese and fine teas from all over the world. To place your Christmas order with Molloy’s, simply call (090) 66 25940.
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