Columns - Irish Examiner

Joe McNamee

A former chef, Joe McNamee is Senior Food Writer at the Irish Examiner. Holding a BA in Culinary Arts, he writes about food and reviews restaurants for Weekend.

Elegant dinner table setting with shallow depth of field

Joe McNamee: Vat cut is no bonanza, it’s a Band-Aid on a serious wound

It can be tricky to unravel the multiple factors that challenge hospitality in 21st century Ireland, especially since the pandemic

Sat, 11 Jul, 2026

S Restaurant review: Habibi Grill on Cork's Northside will convert more Corkonians to Syrian food

This delicious, homely fare, is elevated by the sophisticated spicing born of an upbringing in Aleppo

Sun, 05 Jul, 2026

Joe McNamee: The traditional restaurant model is irreparably broken

Is this a solution for the economic woes of Irish hospitality the ‘pay-what-you-want’ restaurant?

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Joe McNamee: Practical cooking is not taught in schools and it’s a shame

Who’s going to teach those next-generation cooks?

Sat, 20 Jun, 2026

S Restaurant review: I went to Adare Manor for a €185pp Michelin-starred dinner at The Oak Room

The Head Chef Mike Tweedie still has the drive needed to succeed

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Joe McNamee: Sustainable farming at the inaugural Farming for Nature Festival

This farm fest is for anyone producing food on land

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

S Restaurant review: My Goodness Café's vegan food is both tasty and affordable

This café brings thrilling taste and a fine food philosophy

Sun, 07 Jun, 2026

Joe McNamee: How a McDonald's opening in Rome led Carlo Petrini to start the Slow Food movement

The late Slow Food founder gave us new hope

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

Red chili peppers shot from above on rustic wooden table

Joe McNamee: Learning to beat the heat at the Irish Chilli Festival

I have always adored chillis, though age has tempered my capacity for chilli-eating as an endurance sport.

Sat, 30 May, 2026

Joe McNamee: It’s been a long time since Ireland’s farmers were able to feed the island

Days of rural Ireland as the larder of the nation are gone

Sat, 23 May, 2026