A COUPLE of days in London is fun, but I was commandeered to go by my publisher and my long-suffering editor, to finish my latest book, 30 Years of the Ballymaloe Cookery School.

AT LAST, restaurants are reporting an increased appetite for eating out; perhaps those green shoots really are sprouting. I’ve had several requests from readers for an update on the London food scene. Lots of good things are happening over there – despite the cautious atmosphere, many young people are “chomping at the bit” to open cafes, restaurants and gastro pubs.