Hot tip

Nights at Cookes bring people together who enjoy good food and wines in a relaxed atmosphere.

Diners will experience food that is themed around different countries, regions and celebrations with food served on large platters to be shared by the whole table.

Starting with three Mediterranean Events on Thursday evenings at 8pm - consisting of five-course dinner with tastings of five featured wines - €85 per head. Spain Gourmentour - February 24; Tastes of Italy - March 10; Sketches of Morocco and North Africa - April 14. To book, tel: [phone]. Cookes are also doing long late lunches 12-4.30pm, Mon-Fri, and Brunch starting on March 13.

Mai Fitz’s restaurant and bar in William St, Listowel, run by Maxine Brown - one of our past pupils - is now open for lunch and dinner. Tel: [phone]

Cork Free Choice Consumer Group - next meeting Thursday, February 24, in Crawford Art Gallery Café at 7.30pm ‘Grow your own organic salads all year round’ with Joy Larkcom. Admission €5 including tea & coffee. Joy Larkcom holds the Garden Writers Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.