Hot tip

* MUSHROOM HUNT at Longueville House Hotel, Mallow, Co Cork, Sunday, October 16.

Don your wellies, bring your waterproofs, and hike around the estate in search of mushrooms with the guidance of a mushroom expert. There will be a mulled wine reception and afterwards Chef William O’Callaghan and his team will prepare a banquet of autumn mushrooms from the day’s harvest.

Advance booking and payment is essential as numbers are limited; Tel: [phone] or email: [e-mail]; www.longuevillehouse.ie.

Special weekend packages are available.

* Growing Awareness - Hands on Composting Workshop. Sunday, October 16, at Madeline McKeever’s Ardagh, Church Cross, Skibbereen, Co Cork; 10.45am-4.30pm. Tips and tricks for making the best things to give to your soil - lovely compost. Tel: Tom or Ruth at 028-23889 or email: [e-mail]

* Cost: €25; bring a packed lunch.

* Baileys/Euro-Toques Young Chef is the most prestigious competition in the country for up and coming young chefs. Candidates must be nominated by a Euro-Toques Chef.

* Full details are available from: [e-mail]; Tel: [phone]; www.eurotoquesirl.org. Closing date: October 20.