food columnists

EXM_7601
Eunice Power: My West Cork trip inspired fried chicken fascination
Michelle Darmody
Michelle Darmody: How to bake marvellous macarons
Aishling Moore
Aishling Moore: Crab burgers are the taste of summer
Joe McNamee.png
Joe McNamee: Pop-up food events are thriving, but are restaurants paying the price?
Aishling Moore Darina Allen Joe McNamee Leslie Williams Michelle Darmody

FOOD NEWS

White wine on a rustic bench overlooking a lake at sunset
Wine with Leslie: The wines of Southern Italy are particularly suited to warm weather
I feature three fine examples below, a fiano, grillo, and falanghina

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Will you find the Golden Ticket? Viral chocolatier to open third Irish store in Cork
Will you find the Golden Ticket? Viral chocolatier to open third Irish store in Cork
Sugar Plum Sweetery became a viral sensation during the country’s Dubai chocolate craze early last year, and has since been much-loved among chocolate lovers

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Restaurant review: Sandwiches and cakes are a quiet triumph at this West Cork deli
S Restaurant review: Sandwiches and cakes are a quiet triumph at this West Cork deli
The owners bring experience and passion to The Pike Deli in Clonakilty

Mon, 20 Jul, 2026

Restaurant review: Uncle's Deli has a great concept but falls behind its English Market peers
S Restaurant review: Uncle's Deli has a great concept but falls behind its English Market peers
The recently opened English Market restaurant was possibly over-concerned with nailing a US-style concept rather than nailing a really good sandwich.

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Low Carb Salmon Filet with Lemon Slices on a Fiery Grill
MasterChef finalist Mark O'Brien: Here are my fish and veg options for summer barbeques
Dubliner Mark O’Brien, a finalist on ‘MasterChef: The Professionals’ 2026, shares his ideas for fish and vegetable barbecue options that will bring big flavour to your outdoor table

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Wine being poured into glass
Wine with Leslie: Chilled supermarket wines to protect your wallet this summer
I have to admit that supermarkets have the edge on pricing and certainly on branding

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Eunice Power: Going for a picnic while it's sunny? Try my tasty recipes for an outdoor feast
Eunice Power: Going for a picnic while it's sunny? Try my tasty recipes for an outdoor feast
Eunice Power reflects on family traditions, post-swim feasts and why sharing simple food outdoors never goes out of style

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Restaurant review: Sano Pizza's remarkably good value bucks the trend of expensive city dining
S Restaurant review: Sano Pizza's remarkably good value bucks the trend of expensive city dining
A delicious slice of real value in a time when eating in cities like Dublin, Cork, and Galway has become more and more costly

Sun, 12 Jul, 2026

Elegant Christmas table setting
Wine with Leslie: My trip to Nantes was a gateway to grand Loire
Nantes retains its Celtic feel and the Irish are made feel particularly welcome

Fri, 10 Jul, 2026

Where to eat outdoors in Munster: 24 top spots from hidden courtyards to seaside terraces
Where to eat outdoors in Munster: 24 top spots from hidden courtyards to seaside terraces
From hidden courtyards to seaside terraces, these standout Munster venues combine exceptional food with spectacular settings

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

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

Top 8: Which of these supermarket pizzas will be love at first bite
Top 8: Which of these supermarket pizzas will be love at first bite
When the days are hot and long, it’s hard to beat pizza for an easy meal. It’s light, packed with flavour and delivers the saltiness we crave.

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

barbecue pork loin salad and red whine garden party
Wine with Leslie: Three wines and a bourbon to pair with a summer barbeque
My first tip is to serve red wine a little cool when accompanying a barbeque 

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Aishling Moore: This monkfish skewers recipe should be added to your barbecue menu
Aishling Moore: This monkfish skewers recipe should be added to your barbecue menu
Seafood often gets overlooked when barbecue season begins, which is such a shame as it’s so well suited to being cooked over a high heat and kissed with the scent of wood or charcoal smoke

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

Traditional french pie. Quiche lorraine on kitchen table.
Michelle Darmody: How to make a Quiche Lorraine
In the traditional recipe, the filling is simply made of eggs and cream with crispy bacon lardons. Cheese has been added in more recent decades. I use a French cheese in keeping with the recipe’s history, but you can use a different one if you prefer

Sat, 27 Jun, 2026

Restaurant review: Faux Old-style Irish pub almost seems novel
S Restaurant review: Faux Old-style Irish pub almost seems novel
I should be critical of the fakery, but it is quite well done, so I was happy to block it from my mind and go with the flow.

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

Wine bootles from cellar in selective focus
Wine with Leslie: Burgundy has become unaffordable, here are three alternatives
Some French vineyards are reporting up to a 80% damage to the vines due to recent hailstorms

Fri, 26 Jun, 2026

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

'The health benefits are fantastic': Kate Lawlor-Lyne on how to add more fish to your diet
'The health benefits are fantastic': Kate Lawlor-Lyne on how to add more fish to your diet
The freshest of fish is being cooked by Cork chef Kate Lawlor-Lyne at the K O’Connell Fishmongers counter in Dunnes Stores on Patrick’s Street. She shares her tips on helping people look at fish in a new light

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Close up of young couple toasting with glasses of red wine at restaurant
Wine with Leslie: My favourite wines I tried in Armenia  
Sharing some wines from a trip to Armenia, Leslie Williams tells you what there is to know about 'the oldest newest wine country'

Fri, 19 Jun, 2026

Restaurant review: Tábla is exactly what you want from a local restaurant
S Restaurant review: Tábla is exactly what you want from a local restaurant
Au contraire, French cuisine is thriving

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Pour wine in a glass
Wine with Leslie: Portuguese wine is great value — here are my top picks
In an ever more expensive world, these wine's show that cheap doesn't have to mean low quality

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Cafe menu restaurant brochure. Food design template
Yes to a starter, but be wary of specials: How to order the perfect meal in a restaurant
Restaurant dining is a terrific and expensive treat, so how can you be sure to get the best from every menu? Experts give their 13 best bits of advice to Sarah Phillips, from looking for the strangest dish to going easy on the booze

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

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

Top 8: Which of these potato salads are the cream of the crop?
Top 8: Which of these potato salads are the cream of the crop?
Which of these 8 store bought salads will win out?

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

collection of luxury red and white French or Italian wine in bottle and glass
Wine with Leslie: Beer overtakes wine in France, but French wine is not going anywhere 
The Languedoc-Roussillon was once the source of oceans of Vin de Table, feeding the French habit of 120 litres of wine per person per year and a notable contributor to the EU wine lake.

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

Popular Cork City restaurant to close its doors after 25 years
Popular Cork City restaurant to close its doors after 25 years
14A on French Church Street in the city centre will take orders from loyal customers for the final time on June 14

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026

Restaurant review: The Muddlers Club is packed with charm, finesse, and attitude
S Restaurant review: The Muddlers Club is packed with charm, finesse, and attitude
The Muddlers Club's name traces its origins back to the 1798 Rebellion

Fri, 29 May, 2026

Top 100 restaurants in Ireland: Best food, chefs and dining experiences ranked
S Top 100 restaurants in Ireland: Best food, chefs and dining experiences ranked
After months of careful planning and eating out, our food critics Joe McNamee and Leslie Williams reveal our inaugural list of the country’s finest restaurants. First published in April, we are resharing the list to help you decide on a long weekend food experience

Wed, 27 May, 2026

Mexican restaurant Zambrero opens fifth Cork location at the Marina Market
Mexican restaurant Zambrero opens fifth Cork location at the Marina Market
Known for its fresh, Mexican-inspired dishes and modern superfood ingredients, Zambrero offers a healthier alternative to traditional fast food

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Five quick and easy barbecue recipes to cook while the sun shines
Five quick and easy barbecue recipes to cook while the sun shines
The mercury is on the rise this weekend, which means that barbecue for dinner is a real possibility. Here are our favourite speedy BBQ recipes

Mon, 25 May, 2026

SHAMIM DE BRUN
10 of the coolest drinks to try this summer, from iced matcha to live soda
From boba tea to matcha Shamim de Brún rounds up the season’s warm-weather thirst-quenchers

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Chef cooking meat, chicken and vegetables skewers on grill.
Taste of summer: Seven hacks from experts for the best summer barbecue
From two-zone cooking to grilling sweet treats, these hacks will make you a barbecue legend this summer

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Ice cream in a cone with a chocolate flake
Cast your vote: Where can you get the best 99 ice cream in Munster?
The sunny weather has us craving a 99 — but where can you get the best one?

Mon, 25 May, 2026

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

Summer Rosé
Wine with Leslie: Debunking three rosé myths ahead of summer's arrival
There are common misconceptions about rosé that are worth correcting while we head into the summer sun

Fri, 22 May, 2026

'A proud moment for all of us': Irish snack brand fuelling tennis stars at 2026 Wimbledon Open
'A proud moment for all of us': Irish snack brand fuelling tennis stars at 2026 Wimbledon Open
BiaSol snacks, founded by brother-sister duo Ruairi and Niamh Dooley, are crafted from upcycled grains to deliver high fibre, great taste, and measurable impact

Thu, 21 May, 2026

West Cork chef named best in Ireland as Munster restaurants feature in national awards
West Cork chef named best in Ireland as Munster restaurants feature in national awards
Paul and Máire Flynn also received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Irish Restaurant Awards

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Restaurant review: A talented new chef brings art and value to the table at hip Margadh RHA
S Restaurant review: A talented new chef brings art and value to the table at hip Margadh RHA
Margadh’s wine list is a reason to visit on its own

Fri, 15 May, 2026

Hands, group and toast champagne at party in celebration, goals or connection for success in career at night. Business people, d
Wine with Leslie Williams: Three fresh fizzes to celebrate summer
Champagne once had a terrible reputation for pesticide and herbicide use but thankfully that's been changing

Fri, 15 May, 2026

Restaurant Chestnut
'Our story is rooted in West Cork': Popular Michelin star restaurant announces final dinner season
After eight years of putting Ballydehob on the international dining map, Rob Krawczyk and Elaine Fleming at Restaurant Chestnut have decided to shake things up

Tue, 12 May, 2026

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

Take it to the max with a fibre-rich diet: 'Most people do not get enough fibre'
Take it to the max with a fibre-rich diet: 'Most people do not get enough fibre'
 Ali Honour, author of Beans, says beans, peas, and legumes of all kinds are an easy, inexpensive, and nutritious way to incorporate fibre into the diet

Fri, 08 May, 2026

Wine being poured into glass
Wine with Leslie: The Alsace region has the most diverse wines in France, here are my favourites
The best Alsace wines will be found in independents as wine enthusiasts adore it and seek it out, but you will also find a smattering in supermarkets.

Fri, 08 May, 2026

Five unique Cork on a Fork events to book, including black tie supper in a cathedral
Five unique Cork on a Fork events to book, including black tie supper in a cathedral
From chef collaborations to zero-waste dinners in iconic locations, there’s something for everyone across the city

Wed, 06 May, 2026

Restaurant review: I paid over €400 for dinner for two at The Morrison Room — here are my thoughts
S Restaurant review: I paid over €400 for dinner for two at The Morrison Room — here are my thoughts
Learn the Head Chef's name, you will be hearing about him for a long time to come.

Sun, 03 May, 2026

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Darina Allen
Darina Allen

Serving up top food every Saturday

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