The Menu returns once again with his Yuletide roundup of the very best of 2014 to fill the Christmas Hamper as well as his food awards, The Munchies, a tip of the hat to those who labour long and hard to make local, sustainable Irish produce to a world-class standard.

Back when The Menu roamed the professional kitchen ranges, he had the pleasure of working alongside the very excellent Mags Curtin and it was no great surprise that she went on to become the very first Pastry Chef at Café Paradiso, for she is a fine producer of sweet baked comestibles.