Today we’d like to introduce you to Judith McLoughlin.
Judith, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When my husband had the opportunity to move to Boston for a work opportunity from our Irish homeland in 1996, I jumped at the opportunity. The Irish have been moving to America for generations, including my own grandparents who immigrated in 1896. Our journey began first in Boston, and shortly after we moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Although people identified more with the Irish in Boston, I felt strangely right at home in Georgia. I like to think that the warm sense of hospitality that the South is known for is attributed to my Irish ancestors. Over ten years ago, I founded my gourmet company Shamrock and Peach, specializing in intimate event catering and teaching Irish cooking classes. When my first cookbook came out the Shamrock and Peach people wanted to travel to Ireland with me to taste the great food from the recipes I shared; and so Shamrock and Peach Tours was born. My new cookbook ‘Return to Ireland’ combines both my two great passions of savoring delicious Irish food and drink and traveling to the Emerald Isle. ‘Return to Ireland’ is published by Hatherleigh Press and distributed by Penguin Random House and will be available everywhere November 2022.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
On a personal note, I am proud to say that my husband and I just became American citizens after over 25 years of living in the United States. Moving from another country has its culture shock struggles, and we have experienced the highs and lows that this brings. Our eldest son just graduated from UGA, and as a Bulldog family we have grown to love college American football, although I still do not think I understand all the rules. Our second son attends Georgia College in Millageville, and as immigrant Bobcat families we are being introduced to Greek life in addition to American sports. It all feels new and different, and not how we did things back in Ireland. These past three years have been extremely challenging for my travel company with covid. We had to cancel two years of touring, and this summer was our recovery season… There was a sense of uncertainty and the lockdowns were both financially and emotionally challenging. The hotels in Ireland were understanding when we were forced to cancel group tours because of the government travel restrictions, and there was a sense that we are all in this together. We are grateful to be back on track again for travel to Ireland in the summer of 2023 after a most difficult time in the travel industry.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My family were in the restaurant business in Ireland, so cooking is in my blood. The Shamrock and Peach specializes in cooking Irish food, and one of my favorite things to do is teach Irish cooking and tell stories about the recipes I make. Currently, I will be teaching classes virtually with Milk Street in Boston and locally at Vino Venue in Sandy Springs, and they have an audience who not only love great food but are also curious about travel and the idea of tasting flavors from all around the world. Ireland has a rich history and food is a way for people to understand the culture through a sensory experience of taste. My food is comforting and delicious and it’s hard to pick a few recipes. But people seem to rave most about my slow braised lamb shanks, beef and Guinness Stew, Whiskey chicken and Marmalade Bread or Sticky Toffees Puddings. I like to think when people taste my food, they are transported back to Ireland because of the carefully selected ingredients I use for my traditional Irish dishes. As a chef, I realize that a dish is only as good as the ingredients that are used and how they are skillfully combined to create something memorable. I think what sets me apart is that I am an Irish Immigrant living in Atlanta, and many foodies are interested in tasting new dishes and interested in traveling to other countries.
What does success mean to you?
One of my favorite Irish author’s Oscar Wild said “Success is a science, if you have the conditions, you get the results”. I am a big believer of being at the right place at the right time. When I look back on my success, there have always been a few key people who have helped me along the way through making connections for opportunities that expanded my growth. My travel business is growing through word of mouth, and when a happy customer recommends their experiences to their friend it is the measure of true success. I can say the same for my cookbooks, when people cook and share their enjoyment of the recipes I have created with friends it expands my business and brand of all things Irish.
Having mentioned about the conditions for success, I feel that I need to add that to get the results, there still needs to be the willingness to work hard and take risks. Running your own business always carries risk, and there needs to be a willingness to step out of your comfort zone into the unknown and roll up your sleeves to get the job done.
Pricing:
- My new cookbook ‘Return to Ireland’ is available for sale on my website for just $28.99 (that includes free shipping for signed copies)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shamrockandpeach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamrock_peach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shamrockandpeach/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shamrock_peach
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC48zObG8QWG7OgC6VKJnbLQ
Image Credits
Photo credit Gary McLoughlin Shamrock and Peach Photo (Gary is the husband of author and Chef Judith McLoughlin. Website: http://www.shamrockandpeachphoto.com/
