Ciara McDonnell talks to four high-profile people about their festive traditions and favourite tracks

A charity restaurant founded by celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, has closed its doors for good today.

Jamie Oliver is on a mission to get everyone eating more vegetables with the release of his new book, Veg.

WITH roles in prolific TV dramas like Taken Down and Charlie, Cork actor Gavin O’Connor is having a successful career. However he also has a passion for writing, and his first novel, Mojo, was a labour of love. “I sat down one day on the good advice of a friend of mine and it just poured out of me. I finished it pretty quickly. It’s about a boy band who reunite 10 years and 10lbs too late only to be double-crossed by their ex-manager and record company. There was so much comedy to mine from that set-up too,” he says.

One Irish mother’s mission to tackle the obesity epidemic and get more kids eating vegetables has led to her developing an award-winning blog, two bestselling cookbooks and, most recently, a range of convenient foods specifically for children.

ONE Irish mother’s mission to tackle the obesity epidemic and get more kids eating vegetables has led to her developing an award-winning blog, two bestselling cookbooks and, most recently, a range of convenient foods specifically for children.

Arlene Harris talks to mums about the challenges and joys of rearing a large family

IT has just occurred to bestselling author Aileen Cox Blundell that the initials of her new book (Baby-Friendly Family Cookbook) are BFF, or ‘Best Friends Forever’.

Well Christmas is well and truly over for another year.

The only problem was that he fancied his physiotherapist and was conscious of his hairy feet.

A special day – one more of our little dotes had her hair brushed (no mean feat), donned her school uniform, wore shiny new shoes and a school bag for the very first time. It’s always a bitter sweet moment and an anxious one. She’s really excited now but how will she take to school? Her big sister and brother will take special care of her so she will hopefully settle in a couple of days…

Embattled retailer New Look has agreed a restructuring plan with creditors that will see it shut 60 British stores, resulting in the loss of up to 980 jobs.

With the success of the Harry Potter series and David Walliams’s books, you might think writing for kids is easy. Think again, says Áilín Quinlan.

December is a dodgy time for Dads on the home front.

Restaurant goers are less likely to buy sugary soft drinks if they cost around 10p more, a new study in England suggests.

A number of government departments have combined to cook up a menu of mandatory nutrition standards for meals provided in state schools. 

The show, What;s Phil Having, follows foodie Phil Rosenthal as he explores the culinary gems of Europe.

Innovative companies are driving Ireland’s near-€8bn foodservice sector, writes Ruth Doris

Community centres have been overwhelmed with donations as volunteers and neighbours pulled together after the Grenfell Tower fire.

Settling into busy Los Angeles has reemphasised for Donal Skehan the value of easy to do, one-pot meals, says Carolyn Moore

"At the moment, in terms of lighting, the trend is definitely for mid-century design, featuring polished brass metalwork combined with a painted finish."

Monty Python star Terry Jones has said that he can no longer write as he helped publicise the issue of dementia.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

If you’re the one doing the festive menu this Christmas, you could do a whole lot worse than have someone like Jamie Oliver hold your hand.

If adorable kids and Tubs making an eejit of himself is not your thing then here is what Graham Norton has to offer.

We’ve had a charming new voice in food here at the Ballymaloe Cookery School recently, a young Anglo Indian girl named Maunika Gowardhan, whose simple, delicious, and authentic recipes have enchanted even Jamie Oliver. In 2014, she did a FoodTube video with Jamie on her butter chicken, writes Darina Allen. 

I recently used an old copy of Georgio Locatelli’s Made in Sicily and cooked the most delicious pasta dish and some pork meatballs.

“You swore you’d never renovate anything again as long as you lived. You’ve been swearing that for my entire childhood.”

Jamie Oliver has revealed the name of his new baby — River Rocket Oliver.

Without further ado, here’s the lowdown on today’s showbiz news.

Anna gives us the latest on Courteney Cox, Jamie Oliver and a whole lot more.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today

Cork City is due to get a significant new, branded Italian restaurant and deli — a Carluccio’s.

John Relihan, former head chef at Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa BBQ restaurant, shows Joe McNamee how to fire up the perfect barbie.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.