Talented chef Glen is cooking up a storm in Enniskillen


GLEN Wheeler is one of the country’s top chefs – but his journey to running an award-winning restaurant has been anything but straightforward. At 15, the Lisnaskea man had absolutely no interest in cooking. He wanted to be a professional footballer or a plumber, but a chance encounter with a careers teacher pushed him down a different […]

Fermanagh businesses win provincial awards


THE best of the Fermanagh hospitality industry received provincial recognition at this year’s Irish Restaurant Awards. Held at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan last Monday, almost 800 restaurant and business owners from around Ulster dressed up in their finery to compete for top honours in the ‘Ulster Regional’ section of the national awards. The big Fermanagh […]

Publicans sceptical on pubs re-opening next week


PUBLICANS across Fermanagh remain sceptical over whether or not Stormont ministers will allow drink-only pubs to re-open next Friday (11 December). Mark Edwards from Blakes of The Hollow told the Herald, “As it stands at the minute the Republic aren’t re-opening any wet-pubs as they come out of lockdown this week.” Mark also revealed that […]

First pint since Paddy’s Day!


LOCALS across Fermanagh finally got a taste of the new normal, as drink-only pubs reopened its doors for the first time since St Patrick’s day.  “We have been delighted all week”, explained Mark Edwards from Blakes of the Hollow. “It’s been a long and challenging time for the bar.  “It was lovely to see our […]

Unexpected death of man behind Cafe Merlot


THE unexpected death has taken place of highly accomplished chef, Gerard (Gerry) Russell, head chef at Cafe Merlot and Blakes of the Hollow for the past 20 years. Mr Russell from Glebe Court, Monea, but originally from Lurgan, was a skilled and talented chef who won numerous national wards and achieved the inclusion of Cafe […]