WATCH: Kilkenny celebrity chef chats to our reporter Siobhan Donohoe at Ploughing 2023

Kilkenny chef Edward Hayden says due to his ties with the Irish Country Women's Association, of which NPA managing director Anna May McHugh is a member, it's now a running joke that the ploughing supremo won't have the event without him. 

"In fairness, she always says to me during year 'you will be at the ploughing, won't you', and I'm always up with the ICA, so it's great," Edward said. 

While the weather wasn't ideal early on, Edward said everyone was getting on with it despite the inclement start to the day. 

Edward Hayden, pictured with Anna May McHugh's sister Eileen

He said it was great that he got to use the best Irish produce and  promote all that is good about Irish agriculture at the ICA tent on Tuesday. 

"Anna May is always very kind and you always get a nice hand-written note with the tickets and car parking pass," he said. However he added that he is not unique in receiving a personal touch from the managing director. 

Siobhan Donohoe with Edward Hayden

While he was quick to play down any special treatment he did add: "If I was in a bit of hot water here at the ploughing, I know one of the team would get me out of it".