Kilkenny’s only plant-based café, The Cutting Vedge, is to close its doors after over six years on Ormonde Street in the city centre.
Fronted by Helen Costello, the café has been serving up soups, wraps, salads and a whole host of vegan lunch, dinner and treat options to the masses, even bringing in the odd celebrity or two of late (looking at you, Bob Odenkirk). From freshly cooked porridge to bean and veg goulash, a nut roast wrap to house savoury pastries and any manner of coffee, kombucha, kefir or dessert, the daily menu has been busy in recent years.
However, as covered during a recent episode of Food In 5 Minutes, 2024 has started with a raft of restaurant and café closures around the country and while The Cutting Vedge is the first of note in Kilkenny city to announce a closing, it’s not likely to be the last this year with eateries – even those with good trade – continuously under pressure between staffing, rates, increased supplier costs, energy prices, VAT and more.
A post via social media outlined the reasons behind the closure on Thursday.
“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our wonderful cafe and community. Business margins have become very challenging and as a result, after an intensive review we have decided to close and take time out. It’s a very sad time but it’s also the first day of spring so let’s stay hopeful and excited about what culinary adventures might follow in the future!”, read a post to The Cutting Vedge’s Facebook page.
While it may mark an end to The Cutting Vedge in its current guise, and having experienced Helen Costelloe’s pop-up at the Watergarden in Thomastown all those years ago, plus markets and special events, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing some one-offs or pop-ups in the future. Hopefully, those new culinary adventures won’t be too far away.
