The Menu: Food news with Joe McNamee

Not that The Menu ever needs an excuse to head west to the City of the Tribes but surely the return of the annual Galway Food Festival (March 29-April 2) is as good a reason as any, particularly as 2018 is the year Galway shares the mantle of European Region of Gastronomy, a programme to promote the unique food culture of the region and further develop its economic potential (galwaygastronomy.ie).

This year’s festival theme is ‘Planting Seeds’, a literal and metaphorical interpretation focusing on education and awareness. More than 100 events include tastings, meals, and talks, and several growing events will be targeted at children. As always the entire schemozzle winds up on Monday night with the Festival Table Quiz in the King’s Head (galwayfoodfestival.com)