'One of my old friends, Tonie Walsh was involved in the first Pride Parade in Ireland in 1983. It took courage and defiance to walk the streets of our capital at a time when being in a relationship with someone you loved was illegal, and posed a danger to your safety'

Berries are at their best in Ireland right now. They have soaked up the warm summer sun and turned it into a delicious, juicy sweetness, but even at their sweetest they add a sourness as a foil to the white chocolate in the cake. 

Commercially grown cherries that we buy in shops are grown for the bigger sweeter berries they provide. A fresh cherry should have a shiny, taut skin and no soft patches. 

This cake is a tasty way to solve the problem of your end-season glut. It can also be made into a loaf, without the icing and the curd, for a simpler day-to-day lunchtime snack.

"There are many Irish-made ice creams you can choose from to fill your sandwich, plenty of delicious locally made versions that celebrate our rich and wonderful dairy history."

The soft cheese is so intertwined with Sicilian life it gets delivered by its very own van, instead of the milk man calling, it is the ricotta man or woman that knocks on the door at sunrise.

"Peanuts and chocolate are a delicious blend of flavours and textures. I always gravitate towards them as a combination. The creaminess of the peanut butter adds a beautifully soft texture to the squares."

Peaches, even hard underripe ones, can intensify and become richer and smoother when used in baking.

This was originally it was served in health spas in the 18th century.

I find there is a particular tactility when working with focaccia dough