Marie Holden of West of Dingle on her life in food

One half of West of Dingle Sea Salt, Marie Holden co-owns this game-changing salt company with her husband Brian Farrell. West of Dingle is a sea salt harvesting business that was 25 years in the making, incorporating wild and wonderful flavours into their products to set themselves apart.

Deciding to merge their passions into one—Marie is a talented potter, and Brian an impressive international chef—they are reviving old hand harvesting traditions to produce something new, contemporary and downright special.

Here, Marie Holden shares her life in food…

What are your earliest memories of food?

Picking blackberries off the bushes as a child.

How would you describe your relationship with food?

Can’t live without it!

What was the first meal you learned to cook?

Scrambled eggs on toast.

How did food become a part of your career?

I married a talented chef with a love of natural, fresh ingredients.

What’s your go-to breakfast?

Granola or porridge or a fresh fruit smoothie.

If you’re impressing friends and family at a dinner party, what are you serving up?

Duck spring rolls with soy sauce for starters, then fresh local fish with stir-fried veg and rice. To finish, we love a good crème brûlée.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

Brian Farrell, Rachael Allen and Nigella Lawson.

What would your last meal on earth be?

Crab claws with homemade brown bread and a chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Homemade pizza with a side salad and a glass of wine.

What’s the go-to quick meal you cook when you’re tired and hungry?

Chicken pesto pasta.

What is one food or flavour you cannot stand?

Cream — I know, it’s strange!

Hangover cure?

Salt and vinegar crisps and sparkling water.

Sweet or savoury?

Savoury.

Fine dining or pub grub?

Fine dining.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

Sage in Westport.

Best coffee in Ireland?

My Boy Blue.

Go-to beverage accompaniment?

Peanuts or crisps.

What are your thoughts on the Irish foodie scene?

I love the Irish foodie scene, it’s fun, full of innovative people with great camaraderie and a genuine interest in quality and local Irish ingredients.

What’s your favourite thing about cooking?

Watching someone else do the dishes!

What does food — sitting down to a meal with friends, mindfully preparing a meal, nourishment, etc — mean to you?

We always enjoy the food more when it’s a special occasion and we have people around to enjoy the delicious food that Brian cooks. It’s nice to have a break from the norm and it’s appreciated more.

Food for thought — Is there room for improvement within the Irish food/restaurant/hospitality scene?

I think things are changing for the better as people are more mindful about supporting local, the provenance of their food, and also eating what’s in season. We have amazing food within Ireland at the moment and some fantastic young chefs on the rise. The Irish food scene is in good hands.

Chef’s kiss — Tell us about one standout foodie experience you’ve had recently.

The amazing food trucks at All Together Now in Waterford. The quality and offering was outstanding.

Compliments to the chef — Now’s your chance to sing the praises of a talented chef, beloved restaurant or particularly talented foodie family member.

Okay, I have to say my favourite chef is Brian Farrell, a.k.a. my husband. Everything he cooks is amazing because he takes so much pride in every meal. He has taught me so much when it comes to cooking, flavour and to never compromise when it comes to natural, fresh ingredients.

Secret ingredient — What, in your estimation, makes the perfect dining experience?

Great food, great service and most of all great company.