For many years, Crowe’s in Bohermore offered meals like many other pubs, but this year saw the development of an new offering in response to the new reality for the business.
"Like many other businesses we were closed for most of the year," said general manager Mike Crowe. "The first few weeks were novel as we expected to be open again in April or May, and we viewed it as just a time out from normality. Like most people, I did not expect the severe restrictions to go on almost indefinitely. However it became evident in early summer that this would continue for some time. Therefore we had to look at things and see if we could come up with an offering to keep going, keep staff in jobs, and pay the bills that kept coming such as light, heat, etc."
Crowe’s is known throughout the city and county as the venue for summer barbecues, and it was this fact that led to the development of the Crowe’s Home Food BBQ Box. The box contained everything needed to have a barbecue at home - meats, salads, cheese, burger buns, relishes, etc. The meats are drenched in a special house flavouring to add that bit of extra quality taste.
"These went very well, and we were surprised with the uptake once word got out," he added. "The feedback was very positive. We started off selling single boxes to individuals and there was good uptake. Then some workplaces who would normally have had a barbecue with us decided to reward their staff with a box, and this brought it to a new level. We then sought feedback from users of the product, and the one thing that kept coming back is the quality of the food. We pride ourselves on that."
This beginning has led Crowe’s to establish an offshoot business, Homefoodboxes, now offering several different types of boxes with more to come on stream. The Christmas boxes are now the main focus, and those three box offerings are proving popular. These include the turkey and honey roast ham box, and the duck box. Along with those two, workplaces are also opting for the Christmas box for their staff, which contains a wide variety of meats, cheeses, pate, crackers, fruits, homemade sauces, and more.
"We are very happy with the continued quality of all our box offerings. The cost of a turkey and honey roast ham box or duck box for two people is €30. The turkey box contains traditional turkey and honey roast ham with a sage onion stuffing, melange of winter vegetables, chive duchess, potato, garlic potato, red cabbage, and cranberry jus. The duck box has similar contents but has a house speciality orange jus. Everything needed for a top-class quality meal for two are in the boxes. Many people buy too much food and spend too much money on food this time of the year, plus they then must cook it. The big thing with us is, you get all you need in the box, plus it comes fully cooked and can be stored in a fridge for a couple of days if you wish."
The demand for the boxes has seen the development and launch of a new website, www.homefoodboxes.com This gives people the freedom to go online, order their box to their specific tastes, pay for it, and pick up at a time and day that suits them.
"We are running right up to Christmas Eve and people can pick up their order up to 6pm on that day," Mike Crowe added. "Imagine you can have your Christmas dinner all cooked to the highest quality for a reasonable cost with little waste. I would advise people to seriously consider it. Log on to www.homefoodboxes.com now."
For further information email [email protected] or call 087 2773615.
