Would You Eat These Insects? First “Pestaurant” to Open in Kerry

If you're squeamish you may want to look away now.

Una Kavanagh

Would You Eat These Insects? First “Pestaurant” to Open in Kerry

The first Pestaurant featuring amazing and tasty edible insects will be unveiled in Ireland this weekend.

The pop-up restaurant will be part of the Rentokil Initial Welly Run on the May 11th in Killarney, and will see an array of exotic cuisine served up including Salted Weaver Ants, BBQ Mole Crickets and Chocolate-dipped Worms.

Food at the Pestaurant will be free to all, and a number of Rentokil experts will be on-hand to discuss the food being served, answer any pest-related questions from members of the public and pass on their top tips for avoiding pest problems.

Edible insects have recently been identified by a number of different bodies, including the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organisation, as a potentially valuable source of food for the world’s rapidly growing population.Many insects are rich in protein, zinc, calcium and iron whilst also being low in fat.

Common house crickets contain four times as much protein as the same weight of chicken.

They also have a high ‘feed conversion rate’, meaning that they can be farmed using relatively little land, water and energy compared to livestock.

All of the edible insects and grubs are properly sourced and are nut-free and gluten free. However, some insects have been known to provide reactions among those who are allergic to shellfish and crustaceans, so it’s recommended that you do not try them if you suffer from this allergy.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, over two billion people worldwide already supplement their diet with insects.

The Pop-Up Pestaurant will be open on Sunday 11^th May 2014 at Muckross Road, Killarney, Co Kerry.

Pestaurant Menu in full:

Savoury: