The Hard Shoulder The Hard Shoulder

The Irish Carvery

Oct 15, 2026 · 10m

Summary

This episode explores the surprising resurgence of the Irish carvery, driven by the cost-of-living crisis and social media trends among Gen Z. Hosts discuss the dish's history and hear from chefs and pub owners about the return of high demand, particularly on Sundays. The segment features a report on why diners prefer the convenience and value of carveries over cooking at home, while listeners share their favorite spots across the country.

Topics discussed

Sponsor: Government of Ireland 'Build the Home That Built You' Intro: Listeners share photos of their best carveries Report: The lunch rush at a popular Dublin carvery History: Origins of the carvery in Irish pubs Decline and resurgence: Post-COVID trends and cost of living Pricing and demographics: Who is eating carveries now? Social media influence and the Gen Z carvery trend Customer perspectives: Comfort food vs. fast food Listener texts: Recommendations for the best carveries Outro and repeat of Government of Ireland sponsor
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