Congratulations to Brian McCormack, the new Head Chef at The Malthouse Restaurant and King’s Head Pub in Galway. Brian isn’t exactly new to the kitchens here. He has been cooking as sous chef for quite some years. Now he’s in charge, and very happy to be in the top job! We spoke to him recently about his new appointment.  ‘I’m delighted, absolutely thrilled to get the job.  It’s a great opportunity.’ We could tell he was very excited indeed! Probably because he has an inherent affinity with local and seasonal produce – he was brought up on a farm.  In fact, when pub and restaurant owner Paul Grealish first mentioned the idea, some years ago, of highlighting local and seasonal produce on the menus, Brian said ‘ Sure that’s how we ate at home!’. It was nothing new to him, so he’s delighted to be applying that ethos at work, with produce from the Galway region and Ireland’s other top producers. Latest to the menu is Toonsbridge Mozzarella. Brian says ‘I’m very excited to get this cheese on the menu. It’s seriously good. Irish tomatoes are plentiful now so we are serving it with those and some local organic basil – it’s a dish that sings of summer.’ He’s also raving about the upcoming lobster promotion starting today 30th June and running till the 4th of July. All you have to do is check the pub’s Facebook page, like and share, to be in with a chance to win Lobster for Two at the Malthouse. The Malthouse Restaurant entrance is linked to the King’s Head Pub, one of Galways oldest hostelries with heaps of history behind it. Brian will oversee menus in both venues. He tells us the trad music night on Wednesdays is proving very popular, and pub food is served in the Gallery Restaurant in the pub, which has a birds eye view of the stage. Sounds like fun to us!  Best of luck to the new Head Chef of this dual aspect food establishment in the heart of Galway city. Looking forward to tasting some of his dishes next time we are in town!