Killarney Guide

A festive meal delivered to your home – so no one misses out this year

BY KIM LANGEN

For three years, a local hairdresser and café owner – along with her family – has been cooking up and dishing out free Christmas meals.

But this year Tari Conrad, who operates The Grind and Metamorphosis Salon on Broadway, said that this past year’s pandemic has thrown a wooden spoon into the works in regards to her business cash flow.

So she pencilled up the numbers, and decided she could still plate up a meal – at a very low price.

“I wanted to still do the Christmas meal, and I wanted to make it reasonable,” said Conrad. “Ten dollars just covers the costs of the meal. Why am I doing it? Families can’t get together for Christmas this year, and no one wants to cook a turkey for two, and I have a commercial kitchen right here. The plan is to do the free deliveries on Christmas Day. I hope this means everyone can enjoy a Christmas meal during COVID.”

Conrad recently posted her delicious plans on social media, and then got a heck of a shock.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Conrad on Tuesday. “Some people started doing pay-it-forward meals. It kind of went like wildfire. One person ordered 10 meals for other people, and there were five more pay-it-forwards from another person. They wanted meals to be given to people who maybe couldn’t afford it. Then someone from a church donated money to support it, and I have also had private donations from anonymous people. People approached me – I wasn’t asking for financial support.” 

So far the dinner reservations coming in include couples, patrons of Conrad’s café, and singles of all ages, she said. 

There is no dining inside, but customers can either pick up their pre-packed meals at The Grind, or have them delivered to their homes in the Killarney area at no charge.

“There will be turkey, maybe ham, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, vegetables, and a bun, plus a dessert,” said Conrad. “It will be in a microwavable container that people can keep.”

The Christmas meal kitchen team itself will consist of five or less of her family members, she said, in accordance to public health guidelines. And it will definitely be a busy few days before the big day arrives. 

But Conrad said she loves to help people, and has been thrilled with the vibrant response so far.

“Killarney has been very supportive, with so many people wanting to help us help those who would like to dine on a traditional Christmas dinner,” she said. “I am bringing in an extra oven to cook all the turkeys.”

CONRAD’S CHRISTMAS DINNERS – Tari Conrad is forging ahead again this year with her popular Christmas meals, despite the pandemic dampers. The Grind owner served up 47 free meals last Christmas, but had to set a nominal price on dinner this festive season just to cover costs.