Women’s Irish Network Exclusive Evening with Angela Hartnett at Café Murano

On the evening of the 15th of May, the Women’s Irish Network (WIN) hosted an event at Café Murano, Covent Garden, featuring the celebrated Irish-Italian chef Angela Hartnett OBE. The intimate gathering brought together Irish women from across the South East of England, including London, for an evening of fine cuisine, insightful discussions, a detailed conversation with Angela and the opportunity to connect.

As one of the UK’s most beloved chefs and co-host of the popular podcast Dish, Angela shared insights into her culinary career, personal experiences with running a business and her commitment to giving back to her community. Angela’s laid-back manner created a relax atmosphere in the private dining room of award-winning restaurant. The guests enjoyed her story telling, as she revealed her Irish roots, her families deep love of great tasting food and the challenges she experienced during her largely successful career.

Celebrating Irish Heritage

Angela opened up about her unique heritage, a mix of Irish and Italian backgrounds, which greatly influences her approach to cooking and life. Attendees were captivated by her tales of growing up with strong family traditions and how her grandmother’s pasta board remains her most prized kitchen possession.

Work-Life Balance

The Q&A session gave guests a candid glimpse into Angela’s life beyond the kitchen. She spoke openly about managing the challenging balance between work and personal life, offering encouragement to women juggling multiple roles. Angela’s reflections on her early career, starting with Gordon Ramsay at Aubergine, highlighted the importance of mentorship, perseverance and passion.

Guests also learned fun facts like Angela’s surprising answer to what she would be if not a chef, a pathologist!

Expert Tips and Joy in Cooking

Angela provided the guests with practical advice on how to fall back in love with cooking. She emphasized the simplicity of going back to basics and encouraged everyone to take a step back and reconnect with their food. Her tips on preparing pasta properly were a highlight and caused a ricochet of laughter around the room with her witty responses.

Giving Back During Covid

One of the most inspiring parts of the evening was Angela’s account of her work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside fellow chef Richard Corrigan, she helped prepare 100 meals a week for the Southwark Irish Pensioners in London, having roped Richard into baking 100 loaves of soda bread.

The Dish Podcast

Angela’s role as co-host of the Dish Podcast with Nick Grimshaw was another point of interest. She shared her love for bringing stories of food, culture, and personal experiences to a wider audience. When asked who her ideal guest would be, Angela expressed her love for comedians, explaining that she admires their wit and ability to bring humour to their podcast conversations.

Looking Ahead: Join WIN and Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Events

If you missed this special evening with Angela Hartnett, there are plenty more opportunities to get involved. Joining WIN means becoming part of a vibrant network dedicated to supporting Irish women in London through networking events, educational talks and social gatherings.

By becoming a member, you gain exclusive access to events, discounts and a supportive community that celebrates Irish heritage and empowers women in their personal and professional lives.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Angela Hartnett for sharing her time, stories and passion for cooking with us. We are deeply grateful to the team at Café Murano for hosting such a fantastic evening. Special thanks to WIN member Claire Solan, former producer of Dish, for curating the fireside chat with Angela. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the WIN board for dedicating their time and effort to organising these remarkable events that bring Irish women together in London. We are also grateful to Niamh Ryan, from Ella & Jo, for providing the most beautiful gift bags for our guests which included their brand new product the 3in1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist.

Interested in joining WIN?

Click here to become a member and gain access to all the incredible benefits that come with being part of our network.

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