Gwen Heffner
Information Specialist
gwen.heffner@ky.gov
Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Phone: 859/ 985-5448
Fax: 859/ 985-5449

BEREA, Ky. (February 22, 2005) -- On Saturday, February 26, the Kentucky Artisan Center kicks off the St. Patrick's Day season with cookbook author Viki Pidgeon of Louisville, signing her cookbook “Deliciously Irish” and offering samples of “Kerry Apple Cake” from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

In her cookbook, “Deliciously Irish” Viki Pidgeon captures the flavor of Irish fare offering selected recipes for breakfasts, soups, main courses, and desserts. From coastal areas come such dishes as “Shrimp and Pasta” and “Wild Salmon with Chive Sauce.” Then, there is “Limerick Salad” or “Onion and Guinness Soup” and main courses like the mouth watering “Honey Glazed Rack of Lamb and Parsnips” not to mention desserts such as “Pear and Ginger Upside Down Cake” and “Cardamon and Raspberry Roulade” and “Kerry Apple Cake” which Viki will be serving at her cookbook signing.

With Dual citizenship in both Ireland and the United States, Viki Pidgeon was born in Solon, Ohio, near Cleveland. She came to college in Kentucky attending Morehead State University and graduating with BA degrees in Home Economics and Physical Education from Western Kentucky University. Her first trip to Ireland in 1998, was the beginning of her love affair with that country.

Both Viki and her husband Barney, whose grandfather was born on the emerald isle, have traveled all over the country.  On her third visit in 2002, Viki got the idea for a cookbook. She rented a small apartment and went about traveling to different counties and towns where she found certain dishes that she chose to collect. She contacted chefs to ask if they would share a recipe with the trade-off being the publishing of the name of their establishment, county, and town. The recipe for the “Kerry Apple Cake” being served on Saturday, February 26, comes from the Park Hotel Kenmare, in the town of Kenmare, County Kerry in Ireland.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center’s exhibits, shopping, and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the café from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 470 artisans from all across the Commonwealth. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the Center’s web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov
 
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Commerce Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.