Three times a year we offer a tapas course, it’s always oversubscribed as is the canapé class. We all love little bites of something tasty and delicious - such a lovely way of eating.

There was great excitement in Midleton on the Bank Holiday weekend. The Midleton Farmers Market was joyfully celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

There is an aisle? It’s all go, gongs and gills at the fish-mongers’ section of Cork city’s famous food-friendly English Market.

THERE is no shame in being lazy in the kitchen.

Buy locally sourced or Irish produce this Christmas

An insight into age-old salmon smoking techniques will be demonstrated by a Cork producer in a tourism incentive aimed at ‘foodies’ and bloggers.

An insight into age-old salmon smoking techniques will be demonstrated by a Cork producer in a tourism incentive aimed at ‘foodies’ and bloggers.

Costa del Kinsale lives up to its foodie rep

A SPOONFUL of fish paté, with a green salad, is perfect at this time of year, when low temperatures still give us an appetite for something substantial, but not heavy.

Frank Hederman’s Belvelly smokehouse is also a hard-working, food- producing and tasty family home. Tommy Barker goes to visit

The Bord Bia-organised Ireland stand will feature some of our utterly splendid raw milk cheeses.

LOCATED on the edge of Castlemartyr village, Co Cork, on the site of a former Carmelite Monastery, Castlemartyr Resort incorporates a five-star hotel, spa and links-style golf course set in spacious grounds.

THERE are really two recipes in one here. The basic recipe is a particularly good version of the classic French potato dish gratin dauphinoise, which is delicious served with a simple roast or grill.

Smoked Mackerel Pâte

Irish Seedsavers Association: Starting in February the association will be running courses including Creating an Orchard, Dry Stone Walling and Organic Gardening, at Capparoe, Scarriff, Co Clare. Contact 061-921866, email: info@irishseedsavers.ie.

MIDLETON Farmers’ Market celebrated its fifth birthday at Whit weekend. Since it started, the growth of the Farmers’ Market Movement has been nothing short of phenomenal. There are now well over 100 markets in Ireland and others are opening at the rate of one a week.

ANOTHER convivial Slow food event - I’ve just had the best fun wending my way up to the top of Lough Ine Hill - my daughter and my well-toned friend from boarding school powered their way ahead, I adopted a more leisurely pace.

SILKE CROPP’S Corleggy Cheeses from Co Cavan were chosen as the supreme winner of the 2003 Ballygowan/Irish Food Writers Guild Food Awards , on September 23 at L’Ecrivain Restaurant, Dublin.