food columnists

2030231_1_org_Darina_Allen
Darina Allen: My recipes to make the ultimate roast dinner
Michelle Darmody.png
Michelle Darmody: How to warm up with this spiced autumn loaf — and the mistakes to avoid
Sarah Butler
Sarah Butler: My carbonara recipe is sure to impress, even in a rush
Aishling Moore
Seafood Made Simple: This smoked mackerel colcannon is a perfect lunch recipe

food

Seafood Made Simple: How to make these flaky, garlicky fish kievs
Seafood Made Simple: How to make these flaky, garlicky fish kievs
"For my take on a seafood Kiev, I thought I’d opt for a fish that’s native to our waters but we don’t eat much of in this country – megrim."

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Joe McNamee: Vanessa Clarke was a true hidden hero of Irish food
Joe McNamee: Vanessa Clarke was a true hidden hero of Irish food
"...and nobody dealt with s**t like Vanessa, a Zen-like combo of pragmatic calculation and inspired innovation."

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Restaurant review: We wait for our mains for over an hour after ordering at Thompson's
S Restaurant review: We wait for our mains for over an hour after ordering at Thompson's
If steak is your USP, it needs to be top drawer every time out

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Selective focus on a selection of red, rose and white wines during a wine tasting event on the island of Crete in Greece
Wine with Leslie: Lesser-known wines from France and Northern Italy
"Burgundy is the ideal of course, but who can afford them these days, not me. I’ll be looking to Beaujolais, to Baden and the Pfalz for my Pinot Noirs with maybe the odd New Zealander or Chilean."

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

One of Ireland's top chefs leaves Cork restaurant after only eight months
One of Ireland's top chefs leaves Cork restaurant after only eight months
It comes just days after he was crowned joint Best Seafood Chef of the Year at the prestigious Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2025

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

Sarah Butler: These midweek wonders prove budget doesn't have to mean compromise
Sarah Butler: These midweek wonders prove budget doesn't have to mean compromise
"Both of these recipes are designed with busy families in mind — affordable, nourishing, and using ingredients we all have at hand."

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

True blue: How Cashel Farmhouse's iconic Cashel Blue cheese has stood the test of time
S True blue: How Cashel Farmhouse's iconic Cashel Blue cheese has stood the test of time
Freshly crowned Best Artisan Producers at the Blas na hÉireann 2025 food awards, the story of Cashel Blue is decades in the making, writes Joe McNamee

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

Restaurant review: This Dublin osteria does nearly everything brilliantly
S Restaurant review: This Dublin osteria does nearly everything brilliantly
"Thanks to the room’s former incarnation as a bank there are high ceilings and parquet floors but the room also has a modern feel with exposed beams, and copper-hued filament bulbs providing a warm glow."

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: This spicy tuna melt sandwich is inspired by Cork's street food scene
Seafood Made Simple: This spicy tuna melt sandwich is inspired by Cork's street food scene
Inspired by the Tongue Tied brothers’ love for a bit of spice and a sandwich, this weekend’s recipe is my take on a classic fish sambo: the tuna melt. 

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025

Joe McNamee: From grain to gullet, there's nothing like a loaf of real Irish bread
Joe McNamee: From grain to gullet, there's nothing like a loaf of real Irish bread
"Since its formation, RBI has not only provided an invaluable support network for its members — bakers, millers, and grain growers — but has enabled the growth of a whole new marketplace for real bread, a radical alternative to industrially- produced bread."

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025

Blas na hÉireann Food Awards for long-running enterprises and new businesses
Blas na hÉireann Food Awards for long-running enterprises and new businesses
Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers, founded in 1984, won the prestigious Best Artisan Producer award, while Bon Chocolatiers, Co Offaly, founded in 2020, took the Supreme Champion accolade

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Wine with Leslie: French recommendations as the home of wine convulses under austerity
Wine with Leslie: French recommendations as the home of wine convulses under austerity
With the 'Bloquons Tout' (block everything) protest movement manifest all over the nation (in wine regions as well as the cities), I thought I would give France a tiny dig-out and feature their wines this week.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Simon Zebo: 'Finding myself part of another team is the dream scenario'
Simon Zebo: 'Finding myself part of another team is the dream scenario'
Following its successful debut in Australia, Black Emerald was recently launched for the first time in its home country at Sober Lane in Cork city

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Orange jam in glass jar and fresh fruits on a black background.
Top 8: Which of these shop-bought marmalades has the juice?
Most people enjoy the extra texture (and a fractional amount of fibre) that shredded peel gives, along with depth of flavour, and a hint of bitterness that begs to be mollified by thick butter on hot toast. 

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

How to use a soup maker the correct way and the common mistakes to avoid
How to use a soup maker the correct way and the common mistakes to avoid
If you want homemade soup but don't have time or the emotional capacity for more washing up, then this could be the gadget for you 

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025

Five comforting soup recipes to get you in the autumn mood 
Five comforting soup recipes to get you in the autumn mood 
Delicious soups to warm you up this week

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Izz Café, Cush, and Sea Church among winners at Georgina Campbell food awards
Izz Café, Cush, and Sea Church among winners at Georgina Campbell food awards
Georgina Campbell acknowledged the challenging climate for the sector, referencing the recent closure of Dublin’s Big Mike’s, the latest hospitality casualty

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Sarah Butler: These two quick-and-easy dinner recipes are midweek lifesavers
Sarah Butler: These two quick-and-easy dinner recipes are midweek lifesavers
"Family life is always busy, and finding meals that are both easy and satisfying can be a challenge. That’s why these two recipes are such lifesavers."

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: How to make breadcrumbed plaice with parsley sauce
Seafood Made Simple: How to make breadcrumbed plaice with parsley sauce
"The breadcrumb topping works with just about any fish you can get your hands on, so do rely on your fishmonger to recommend what’s freshest."

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Restaurant review: Cork eatery Mantra has the spice — but more would be nice
S Restaurant review: Cork eatery Mantra has the spice — but more would be nice
"Once home to the pizza restaurant Burnt, where almost everything was coated in black in a rather nihilistic style, the space has now been cleverly redesigned into a vibrant, welcoming room."

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Joe McNamee: Local food is at the heart of Dingle Food Festival
Joe McNamee: Local food is at the heart of Dingle Food Festival
'Each year, I throw a few children into the boot and head west for Corca Dhuibhne and we have never had anything less than a truly splendid time'

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Homemade rustic pears pie
Michelle Darmody: How to make classic French clafoutis — and the mistakes to avoid
"I love making it with apricots earlier in the summer but at this time of year it is a great way to embrace the autumn bounty of fruit such as pears, apples or blackberries."

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Several bottles of black red wine with red labels aligned and stacked horizontally on wooden shelves and bottle racks in a priva
Wine with Leslie: The sweetest Spanish sips from the new season
"The Irish have a huge affinity with Spain and I’m no different, I love the value to be found in its restaurants and the diversity of wine styles. Yes — diversity!"

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Sarah Butler: My soup and quiche recipes are perfect recipes for hectic weekdays
Sarah Butler: My soup and quiche recipes are perfect recipes for hectic weekdays
Both recipes are simple, nourishing, and freezer-friendly,

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Restaurant review: Orwell Road is in safe hands with its impressive chef
S Restaurant review: Orwell Road is in safe hands with its impressive chef
Third time is a charm, much like the others

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: How to batch cook mussels with this creamy tomato sauce recipe
Seafood Made Simple: How to batch cook mussels with this creamy tomato sauce recipe
I can’t recommend mussels highly enough to those who love seafood but are wary of cooking fish at home.

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025

Joe McNamee: How a seed library can plant hope for the future
Joe McNamee: How a seed library can plant hope for the future
Seed libraries are community initiatives that ‘lend’ edible plant seeds for people to grow

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025

spreading margarine butter onto bread
Top 8: Spread the word about these butter alternatives with many benefits
Spreadables are less wasteful than hunks of hard butter dragged across bread, often tearing the crumb in the process

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Working Life: Every year in Ireland, about 7,000 people experience a stroke
Working Life: Every year in Ireland, about 7,000 people experience a stroke
Recovery after a stroke can be overwhelming, but with the right support, patients can rebuild their independence, confidence, and sense of hope. Being part of that journey is an incredible privilege

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Glass of red wine on the hills of Tuscany in Italy.
Wine with Leslie: Exciting wines from lesser-known European regions
These wine suggestions are all from Central and Southern Europe

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Blackstone 36-Inch griddle review: The ultimate outdoor entertainer’s secret weapon
Blackstone 36-Inch griddle review: The ultimate outdoor entertainer’s secret weapon
The Blackstone 36-inch griddle, with four gas burners and nearly 5,000cmÂČ of cooking space, transforms outdoor entertaining into a year-round joy for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Sarah Butler: My recipes for a classic lasagne and a roast chicken traybake
Sarah Butler: My recipes for a classic lasagne and a roast chicken traybake
Both recipes are big on flavour, simple to prepare, and family friendly, with minimal washing up.

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: How to make a fish croquette — the ultimate snack
Seafood Made Simple: How to make a fish croquette — the ultimate snack
I’ve used some hake trim for these croquettes but you could use just about any fish

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Restaurant review: Cork's Nosh 19 is a treat for fans of authentic Chinese fare
S Restaurant review: Cork's Nosh 19 is a treat for fans of authentic Chinese fare
"There are ‘safe’ options for fans of ‘Irish Chinese’, and other Asian cuisines are touched on (including a Thai mini-menu) but the heart of the menu is authentic Hong Kong-style Chinese cooking."

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

Joe McNamee: Learning how to eat the Wicklow way
Joe McNamee: Learning how to eat the Wicklow way
"Postcard-pretty villages and towns could as easily slot into the English country landscape, especially those still bearing archaeological hallmarks of our colonial past in a county that once bordered the Pale."

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025

Ferment: How we can cultivate the revitalising power of microbes
Ferment: How we can cultivate the revitalising power of microbes
Gut health is now recognised as vital to our physical and mental health, and by harnessing the benefits of fermentation, Tim Spector encourages us to take control of it at home

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Field fire vineyards burning
Wine with Leslie: new wines amid the onslaught of vineyard fires
"Vineyards act as firebreaks which was good news for houses, but less good for vineyard owners who will likely have smoke damage to their grapes."

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Sounds From A Safe Harbour: Secret cocktails and sunset market among pop-up food events
Sounds From A Safe Harbour: Secret cocktails and sunset market among pop-up food events
There's a new layer of flavour for the festival this year with pop-up food events around the city

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Sarah Butler: My chicken tikka masala recipe is easy and tastes better than takeaway
Sarah Butler: My chicken tikka masala recipe is easy and tastes better than takeaway
Plus: home-baked muffins are the perfect snack for busy school mornings and lunchbox surprises.

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Restaurant review: 3 Leaves is a star of Dublin's leafy suburban scene
S Restaurant review: 3 Leaves is a star of Dublin's leafy suburban scene
"The flavours in the mains were slightly less complex than in the starters, so next time I’m doubling down on starters and ordering extra portions of Malabar paratha."

Sun, 07 Sep, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: Creamy polenta is perfect with this tomato-rich squid ragu
Seafood Made Simple: Creamy polenta is perfect with this tomato-rich squid ragu
This weekend’s recipe is a combination I love, a tomato-rich ragu of buttery braised squid with the perfect accompaniment; a side of creamy polenta.

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Multiracial group of happy friends eating burgers while drinking beer in a pub.
Joe McNamee: The difference between price and value when it comes to dining out
"If a restaurant, has built its reputation on using premium produce, especially from local food producers, they can’t use an inferior substitute."

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025

Hands holding a grate full of raw vegetables
What are UPFs and how to easily eat more unprocessed food — plus a triple-protein dahl recipe
In her new book, ‘The Unprocessed Plate’, nutritionist and podcast host Rhiannon Lambert shows us how to swap UPFs for healthier eating habits

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Customer buying white wine or sparkling drink. Alcohol aisle in store or supermarket. Woman holding bottle. Buying riesling or c
Wine with Leslie: My top three choices from the French wine sales
Dunnes, SuperValu, and O’Briens all have great savings

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Homemade yogurt
Top 8 fat-free yogurts for a healthy snack option
Fat-free yogurt is delicious and far better than ultra-processed foods after school.

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Everything you need to know about Cork's seed libraries
Everything you need to know about Cork's seed libraries
A series of seed saving workshops will take place in public libraries in Cork city and county his month

Thu, 04 Sep, 2025

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Darina Allen
Darina Allen

Serving up top food every Saturday

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