THE way to everyone’s heart is as ever through their tummy, it’s Fathers Day tomorrow so let’s show our love and appreciation and celebrate with a slap up meal for our bestest Dad — what’s his favourite?

I’VE GOT every book that Elizabeth David wrote, in my library. She was unquestionably one of the most superb cooking writers of all time and if I had to choose just one book from the close to 2,000 volumes I have it would have to be French Provincial Cookery.

THE CRAVING, particularly among young people, to relearn almost forgotten skills continues to gather momentum.

THIS week-end we are going to have an elderflower party to celebrate their profusion in the hedges.

EVERYWHERE I went this week, people were discussing Philip Boucher-Hayes’ RTÉ programme ‘What’s Ireland Eating?’ They seemed shocked by the statistics.

THE River Café on the edge of the Thames in Hammersmith was started as a staff canteen for architect Richard Rodgers and his team in 1985. His wife Ruthie and her friend Rose Gray loved to cook and had fun reproducing the Italian food they enjoyed on holiday in Tuscany and Florence.

THE apple blossom is in full bloom in the orchard this week with the promise of a bumper harvest provided we don’t get a random frost within the next few weeks.

THIS weekend I was invited to the Artisan Food School at Welbeck in North Nottinghamshire to talk to their students about the inspirational Irish artisan food scene.

THERE’S something very special about Easter Sunday lunch, it feels like a celebration of spring. I’ve just got a beautiful leg of spring lamb from my butcher. A once-a-year treat — sweet, succulent and juicy.

FOR many of us with busy lives Monday to Friday whizzes past in a buzz of activity by the time we get home from work in the evening.