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.

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

S Restaurant review: Aniar's 24 courses of theatrics should be on your bucket list

The special Irish restaurant offers a dining experience few others can claim to

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Joe McNamee: I’m finding a lot of reasons to make celery sexy again

Celery may not be on many people's radar when it comes to the best veg, but it should not be overlooked

Sat, 16 May, 2026

Joe McNamee: Looking forward to a joyous celebration of Irish food in Cork

This is the third year of Litfest’s ‘offspring’, the Ballymaloe Festival of Food

Sat, 09 May, 2026

S Restaurant review: Oar fails to make a splash — but there's time to right the ship

Oar would be a far better restaurant if it could truly embrace simpler cooking of the local larder.

Fri, 08 May, 2026

Joe McNamee: I watched a TikTokker sweat, grunt, stuff his face and call it a food review

Instead of a new wave of digital food critics or reviewers, we instead got a cadre of self-appointed food ‘influencers’.

Sat, 02 May, 2026