A little preparation can go a long way when eating under the sun, writes Roz Crowley. 

Chapter One: An Irish Food Story

The Menu would scarcely have thunk it a few short years ago but Irish festival season, most definitely upon us, is coming to be dominated by food-related events, a cause for rejoicing.

WELL done to the Irish food producers who have won nearly 10% of the gold star ratings in the British Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards.

EIGHT Irish food companies are among those first in line for the overall prizes in Britain’s foremost food competition, the 2010 Great Taste Awards.

OTTO KUNZE and his wife Hilde run a restaurant with rooms in Dunworley, near Butlerstown in west Cork.

SLOW FOOD West Cork and the Schull ICA recently teamed up to host an event where guild members and their friends and local farming families could meet the foodmakers who sell at the local farmers’ markets.

EVERY year I swear I’ll never again be wrapping and delivering presents on Christmas Eve — yet, despite my endless resolutions, I somehow end up doing just that the following year.

THIS week we feature two other Eurotoque award winners: West Cork Natural Cheese, and Frank Krawczyk of West Cork salamis.