All round the country, shop windows are packed with tempting scary masks, ghoulish costumes and witches hats for Halloween parties and trick-or-treat forays around the neighbourhood.

"This week, a celebration of the return of the native Irish Oyster, considered by chefs and aficionados to be the most exquisitely deliciously briny oyster."

As ever, it was an opportunity to check out the London restaurant scene - including Dalla's frittatinas

"Recently, my sisters and I spent a couple of windy days in lovely Lahinch amongst frustrated golfers and exhilarated surfers. As you know, I’m neither a golfer nor a surfer… Yes, I know there are some 70-year-olds who still ride the waves but sadly not me."

This gorgeous new book celebrates the joy of comfort food.

"For me and other members of the Guild of Irish Food Writers, it was a deeply moving experience to walk around the city on top of the old walls, past the now peaceful Bogside and the Free Derry Wall."

"I love to make a foragers' salad or a silky foragers' soup from a mixture of wild leaves, flowers and herbs like wild thyme."

With a few basics, you could make a myriad of dishes in a very short time

Freshness is everything with fish

The latest book to arrive on my desk is entitled Agak-Agak (pronounced 'aga-aga'). The author is Sham Hanifa, an award-winning Malaysian chef, businessman and broadcaster who now lives in Carrick on Shannon, County Leitrim