My Guilty Pleasure: ‘I don’t have one, I have a good solid 10 or 20’
From Pot Noodles to 99s, chef Gary O’Hanlon on why he’s ‘a machine for the grub’
Throughout Food Month we will have a daily “Guilty Pleasure” feature where well-known faces share their secret treats, from the delicious to the daring to the downright strange. And you can win a great prize if your share your guilty pleasure with us. See below for details
“I’m in a bit of a spot here.
“Why you ask? Simple really, I don’t have a guilty pleasure. I have a good solid 10 or 20.
“Haribos, Chikatees, Golf balls, Monster Munch, Twisters, Maxi-Twists, Wine Gums, Sam Adams, Espresso martinis, 99s, Chewits, Knorr Farmhouse Vegetable Soup with tonnes of Pat The Baker’s Toasty Bread and white pepper, Chicken curry, Pot Noodles, Egg fried rice... Getting the picture yet?
“I’m a machine for the grub. I can go from Lobster Thermidore to a bag of jellies quicker than you can say Fat Boy Slim.
“I’m probably the only man to ever run the Dublin Marathon and put on weight. Every resident that extended their hands towards me with Mars Bars, Snickers Bites or Wine Gums throughout the route I took them. I’m simply unable to pass on a wee sneaky sweet.
“Even writing these words though makes me realise I need to get myself together. I’m more than capable of cooking anything you can think of for myself but with such an incredibly busy workload it really can become too much. Late nights, long days, constantly on the road and on the move doesn’t make for a healthy lifestyle. Maybe this wee piece will help me kick start a healthier Gary.”
Gary O’Hanlon is head chef at VM Restaurant at Viewmount House, Dublin Road, Longford , viewmounthouse.com
To win an overnight stay for two with breakfast at Kelly’s Hotel in Dublin plus dinner for two at L’Gueuleton, just tell us about your guilty pleasure. Whether it’s tasty and tempting or odd and embarrassing, we want to hear about it. Email your entry plus your name and phone number to email@example.com and the winner will be announced at the end of Food Month
November is Food Month in The Irish Times. You will find food-related content in all of our sections. We will also have reader events, competitions and lots of exclusive content at irishtimes.com/food