Celebrate International Food Week in Enniskillen with Lithuanian chef Zenta Visockiene. Try her traditional Cepelinai – potato dumplings with minced pork, crispy bacon and sour cream – only £15.00 at The Crowes Nest Bar & Restaurant.

A Taste of Lithuania in Enniskillen: Zenta’s Cepelinai Takes Centre Stage at The Crowes Nest

This International Food Week (October 16–19), The Crowes Nest Bar & Restaurant in Enniskillen is inviting guests to travel the world — no passport required — with a celebration of flavours inspired by the diverse chefs who make our kitchen so special.

For this year’s celebration, we’re heading to Lithuania, where traditional, hearty cooking and warm family meals are part of everyday life. Our very own Chef Zenta Visockiene, who has been part of the Crowes Nest kitchen team for more than eight years, is bringing a piece of her homeland to the menu with a comforting Lithuanian classic: Cepelinai (£15.00) — pronounced tseh-peh-lee-nay — a dish as unique as its story.

From Vilnius to Enniskillen

Originally from Vilnius, Lithuania’s historic capital, Zenta’s love of food began early. After studying food technology in college, she discovered a true passion for creating meals that bring people together.

“I’ve always loved cooking for others,” she says. “Good food is something that connects people, no matter where you come from.”

Zenta moved to Ireland almost two decades ago and quickly fell in love with the local produce and community feel of Enniskillen. Since joining The Crowes Nest Bar & Restaurant, she’s become known for her slow-cooked dishes, flavourful gravies, and a commitment to wholesome, traditional comfort food that keeps regulars coming back week after week.

Want to learn more about our chefs and kitchen team? Visit our About Us page.

Lithuania’s National Dish: Cepelinai

So, what exactly is Cepelinai?

“Cepelinai are Lithuania’s national dish — potato dumplings stuffed with minced pork and onion,” explains Zenta. “They’re simmered gently, then served with crispy bacon and a sour-cream sauce. It’s a little bit of everything I love — potatoes, flavour, and heart.”

In Lithuania, families often gather on weekends to make Cepelinai together, filling the kitchen with laughter, the smell of simmering potatoes, and stories passed down through generations.

“They remind me of my granny’s cooking,” Zenta smiles. “She made them every Sunday when I was growing up — just like families here look forward to their Sunday lunch in Enniskillen.”

Zenta’s version, now being served exclusively at The Crowes Nest during International Food Week, stays true to tradition but with a subtle Irish influence — using locally sourced pork, Fermanagh potatoes, and fresh herbs from the kitchen garden.

Flavour, Heart and Home

Zenta’s love of potatoes might just make her an honorary Irishwoman.

“At home, we eat potatoes with everything — mashed, roasted, garlic potatoes, you name it!” she laughs. “That’s why I love Irish food so much — it’s simple, filling, and full of warmth.”

That same philosophy has shaped the Crowes Nest menu. From the lamb shank that falls off the bone, to the Oktoberfest ham hock special, to the ever-popular turkey and ham Sunday lunch, Zenta’s fingerprints are all over the dishes that define Enniskillen’s favourite pub restaurant.

“I love trying new dishes, building seasonal menus, and seeing how our guests respond,” she says. “Our Sunday lunches have become so popular, and it makes me proud to know people look forward to what we’re cooking.”

Discover more of our comforting dishes and pub classics on the Menu page.

And when asked who she’d most like to cook with someday?

“Jamie Oliver,” she says instantly. “His style is simple, rustic, and real. That’s my kind of food.”

Try Zenta’s Cepelinai – This Week Only

From Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th October, diners can enjoy Zenta’s Lithuanian Cepelinai at The Crowes Nest Enniskillen for £15.00 — a comforting, homely dish filled with heart and heritage.

Paired with a creamy bacon sauce and best enjoyed with a pint in hand, it’s a taste of Lithuania right here in the heart of Fermanagh — a reminder that great food always tells a story.

Book your table now to experience Zenta’s Cepelinai during International Food Week.