Another year, another yard of baling twine to hoist up The Menu’s trousers for he once again put in sterling work on behalf of his beloved readers roaming the length and breadth of the land, eating and drinking all the way.

Eight south Cork food and drink companies estimate that they gained a collective €500,000 in new UK sales from their attendance at the IFE 2013 food and drinks fair in London.

Eight leading Irish artisan food and drink producers hope to expand their export channels on foot of meetings with leading UK retailers in London yesterday.