Interview with Avril Twomey from Glenilen Farm
Avril is a dedicated mother of four, and balances her family life with her role as the Marketing Manager at Glenilen Farm.
Tell me a bit about yourself, where you are from and what was your upbringing.
My name is Avril Twomey. I am 46 years old and I live in Mallow with my husband, Ronan, and my four children, Ben (14), Sam (12), Julie (11) and Conor (8). I am from Cork City originally. My mum was a stay-at-home mother and a fabulous cook. I loved growing up in the city & the no. 8 bus!
What was your favourite food/dish growing up?
.Homemade chips, beans, and eggs on Wednesday nights or a roast lamb on a Sunday. For dessert, my mum’s apple tart and my Granny’s bakewell tart.
Was there anything you disliked?
Bacon & Cabbage and corned beef.
Any food memories, fond or otherwise?
Eating (stealing) the potato stuffing from my Granny’s roast turkey on Christmas morning!
What’s your favourite meal now? To cook? To eat?
Goats cheese salad
What’s the kitchen appliance you wouldn't be without?
My red KitchenAid.
The one ingredient you wouldn’t be without?
Eggs.
Three ingredients, one dish..what is it?
Banana Pancakes – Banana, Oats & Milk.
Do you prefer to cook or to be cooked for?
I prefer to cook.
Who cooks in your house?
I do the cooking.
Do your children cook, bake?
A little bit more now as they are a little older. They can fry eggs and make cookies. The advent of easy electrical appliances has helped, such as the Nutri Bullet for Smoothies and the Air fryer for almost everything.
What is your go- to family meal?
Spaghetti Bolognese (of course! ) or Roast Chicken.
Have you any tips to make life easier
Prepare ahead so you have the dinners ready and frozen for the week ahead.
Do you have any tips to make food tastier?
Salt!
Do you have any tips to make food healthier?
Less butter and sugar.
Do you have any tips to save on food waste?
Shopping online , use the freezer and a shopping list.
Do you have any tips for encouraging your kids to eat more veggies?
I have learnt not to fight it any more and just encourage them to “do their best”
Put it on the plate, expose them to vegetables and eventually they will eat it!
What is your go-to dinner on your busiest days?
Fried eggs, beans and homemade chips in the air fryer.
How often do you sit down as a family to enjoy a meal together?
3 times per week.
Do you have any advice for helping kids enjoy mealtimes?
Change the subject away from the food and what they don’t like about it, to speaking about their day and what happened!
Do you have any kitchen hacks?
I use a fork to grate garlic cloves so my fingers don’t smell of garlic afterwards!
What healthy snacks do you always have ready to go?
Flahavans Flapjacks, Fruit, yoghurt pouches, peanut butter balls, and nuts.
What is your children's favourite meal?
Their newfound love is homemade pizza bagels in the air fryer. Fajitas and chicken curry are winners also.