Cork’s Frank Hederman is the first Irish person to win this major European culinary award
There’s nothing quite like his luscious smoked salmon.
And it’s not just local folk who agree; Cork’s Frank Hederman has become the first Irish person to receive the Walter Scheel Medal, the prestigious annual European prize that recognises outstanding contributions to European culinary culture.
Previous winners include Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger of Taittinger Champagne and Spanish Chef Ferran Adrià of El Bulli.
A self-taught craftsman, Frank grew up by the sea and was inspired to begin smoking salmon in a cupboard–like room at home, later establishing Belvelly Smoke House in 1982 near Cobh, which remains Ireland’s only authentic timber smokehouse for Irish salmon.
Frank’s late father and mother, his brother and his children were all involved over the past 40 years. Now, Frank and his wife Caroline run the business, stocking their English Market stall with all manner of delicious smoked produce, from fish to unctuous butters and even chili flakes.
The company employs eight in total, a number which doubles during the busy Christmas period. Products from Belvelly Smoke House have appeared on menus such as Rick Stein’s, and on the counters of food halls such as Fortnum & Mason for decades.
An iconic product, redefined
The Walter Scheel judges praised their traditional smoking methods, as well as Frank’s ‘four-decade dedication to producing the finest possible quality smoked salmon’, stating that Frank ‘redefined one of the most iconic products of Ireland’s culinary heritage.’
“This award is recognition from a prestigious European organisation for the authenticity and singular quality of the food we make, the skill and hard work that goes into it, and the perseverance that’s required to keep a food business like ours going.” said Frank.
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“It’s an opportunity to pause and take stock of all the people along the way who have worked with us, supported us and believed in us, and to thank them sincerely.”
As well as smoked salmon, Belvelly Smoke House also produces smoked mackerel, eel, haddock, mussels, butter, spices, nuts and a wide range of handmade pates, fishcakes and Hederman at Home dishes, which are produced in the Smoke House kitchen.
These products are available locally in their English Market shop and at farmers’ markets, but if you’re not in Cork, their salmon products are available to buy online for delivery to North America, mainland Europe and Ireland.
To celebrate the award, Caroline and Frank will host a breakfast on the Promenade at Cobh Farmers’ Market with all proceeds going to Amnesty International Ireland and St Vincent de Paul.
Keep an eye on their Instagram feed for updates.
