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.

GET out the best teaset, run a bath, iron her clothes for the day, clean the fridge — most mums are easy to please.

Food for thought at West Waterford festival

A global survey deserves a global panel of judges.

THE whole gastro pub scene hasn’t quite taken off in Ireland in quite the same way as in Britain where some of the very best food is to be found in comfy grungy pubs often with mismatched wooden furniture and crockery, serving gorgeous non-fussy seasonal food.

Based on the excellent recipe from Fergus Henderson. He browns the butter and doesn’t add orange flower water. (They are great that way, too.) I cannot work out what the variable is that gives them a proper Madeleine dimple on the top; sometimes you get it and sometimes you don’t. You will need a Madeleine tray. Makes about 24.

CLAIRE PTAK makes wonderful cakes. It all started when she was little girl in Point Reyes, California – every time her Irish grandmother visited they baked cakes together all day long.

THERE’S fashion in food just like everything else. Foodies are always intrigued by the latest trends on the gastronomic circuit.

FOOD lovers who find themselves in London on a Saturday morning should head to Borough Market.