There’s an election coming up and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has been given a shot in the arm with a vote of confidence from Irish food producers.

DINGLE’S food family is a mix of suave restaurateurs, woolly-jumpered young mothers selling pies and chutneys at the market, weathered fishermen hauling from the sea and traditional butchers who swear by west Kerry lamb.

Foodie fanatics who have their fingers on the ‘pulse’ will know that there’s a delicious array of tempting food festivals taking place around Ireland this Autumn, where both novices and gastro groupies alike can tap into a wealth of culinary knowledge, as well as loads of lovely grub!

FLYNN’S KITCHEN, a Riverstick, Co Cork, company, was crowned Blas na hÉireann/National Irish Food Awards supreme champion last week.