Orlaith Conefrey from Jam Pot Café Uncovered

“I have always wanted to have my own little cafe, and Grange was the perfect place to open one”, said Orlaith when she opened in September 2017, nearly 6 years ago. Well, having arrived in neighbouring Cliffony in 1987, we had to wait for 30 years for ‘our local Café’, but it was worth the wait, as they say. Jam Pot is a great meeting place in the middle of Grange Village and always busy. The all-day brunch menu caters for all tastes, but our favourite is the Falafel Wrap. And we love the coffee, sourced from Artessa coffee roasters in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Jam Pot is part of the local food network

We ask Orlaith how important local suppliers are and she says: “It's important to us to source our produce as local as possible and keep it as Irish as possible. We want to give back as much to the local community as we can and we also have a range of Irish products for sale in our little shop.”(mention them). So who are the suppliers? “We have a range of local suppliers. Benbulben Farm for free range eggs, Burns Meats, up the road, for chicken & beef, Feeney’s for all our breakfast pork products, Good guys Organic Farm from Cliffony for lettuce and vegetables for out deli, Total Produce for vegetables and dry goods.”

Challenges for a small business

It is great to see the local network of producers, outlets and consumers working, especially in times of challenge for small businesses. “At the moment the cost of everything seems to just keep rising. Electricity, produce, gas, oil and now potato prices have gone through the roof, just when we finally got a fryer. Hopefully these increases will start to drop, so small businesses like ours have a chance to survive” explains Orlaith. And it is all the more important we support our small businesses, who provide not only an important service, but also jobs. “At the moment I have 8 people working with me. They are a great, hardworking bunch and each have their own talents.” We can testify to that as the staff are very friendly and have always a smile on their faces.

Plans for the future

Like all great entrepreneurs, Orlaith has plans for the future: “We have just started a takeaway at the weekend's. Friday to Sunday 5 to 9pm serving gorgeous Burns beef burgers, chicken burgers, wings and loaded fries.” Another plan is to extend the opening hours to 7 days a week for the summer. “I know it can be disappointing when there's nowhere open locally on Monday & Tuesday for food”, says Orla.

Asked about her background Orlaith says: “I am working in kitchens since I was 17, so that's 22 years now. I studied culinary arts in Sligo and Killybegs.” Her mum is a great inspiration for her, “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without her help and encouragement.” She began her career as a chef under the watchful eye of Alan Fitzmaurice, who at that point was working in The Waterfront Rosses Point (Alan is now Executive Chef at The Glasshouse Hotel in Sligo and also tutoring many young chefs).

Here we Orlaith Uncovered

What is your favourite food? My favourite food is probably anything with pesto and goat’s cheese.
Finish the sentence: A chef is someone who is skilled in food preparation, loves to create and come up with new dishes and products and constantly strives to learn more to improve their skills.
The country you travel for food: I would love to visit Asia some day and eat my way around Vietnam and Thailand.
Three things you always have in your larder/fridge? Oh, probably eggs, cheese and chicken .
What is your most used gadget? My Kenwood mixer, I’ve had it 8 years now and it’s always on the go.
Do you read cookbooks and which one do you come back to? Yes I have loads, but one I always go back to is a Delia Smith cookbook I borrowed from my mum a few years ago and couldn’t give back.
Who is your inspiration (not necessarily from the food world)? My mum, she’s such an amazing, caring, strong woman and without her help and inspiration, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today.
What are you currently listening to? I prefer to read, or listen to music, more than listening to a podcast. I’ll read anything really, but I always love a good thriller. My music taste ranges from rock to pop, I like most music.
·Something people don’t know about you? I have two 4 month old puppies and they are full of beans.
What will be hot in 2023? Vietnamese coffee’s