For most of the schools here in Northern Ireland, Friday the 1st of July marked the beginning of the 8-week summer holidays. But for the students leaving education for good this year, this date held even more significance than it usually would.
With adulthood stretched out before them and unlimited possibilities and adventures to embark on, this transition often comes hand in hand with mixed emotions. Sadness and fear over losing friends and beloved teachers but feelings of excitement and happiness as the future is theirs to mould.
This right of passage is traditionally marked with a huge school leavers party on the final day of school, where students go a bit crazy with Sharpie pens, signing every shirt, tie and bit of skin in sight! It’s also a great excuse to indulge in some cracking food and enjoy the company of fellow classmates one last time without schoolwork getting in the way.
Why are we mentioning any of this? Well, because Hog Roast Irvinestown had the pleasure of attending one of these events on Friday afternoon after, Saoirse, the headteacher at a local academy had hired us to treat her school leavers to our Classic Hog Roast Menu!
The feast we served, which included our signature slow-roasted pork rolls, topped off with crispy crackling, sage and onion savoury stuffing and applesauce, was presented to the group of students alongside our Greek salad, mixed fries and gourmet coleslaw side options. The Hog Roast Irvinestown crew also whipped up a batch of delicious hot dogs and burgers along with a meatless option of grilled vegetable kebabs with optional halloumi, flatbreads and a zesty tzatziki dip, which gave the students plenty of variety to choose from.
Before the booking went ahead, Jamie, our catering manager, had discussed adding extras to the menu, such as a drinks service or dessert. Saoirse loved this suggestion and asked us to include chilled refreshments along with fresh fruit salad and profiteroles on the menu for after the meal.
The students couldn’t have been more pleased with the Hog Roast Irvinestown buffet, and the incredible event is sure to be one they each remember fondly for decades to come.