The Menu is delighted to bring further detail to an item alluded to in last weekend’s column, news of what promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s culinary calendar, a fundraising dinner (April 29) in aid of two Leeside charities, Cork Penny Dinners, recent recipients of the prestigious Irish Food Writers’ Guild social responsibility award, and Cork Simon.

There’ll be no fear of too many cooks spoiling the broth when four Michelin star winning chefs join forces later this month to raise money for two Cork homeless charities.

We are super excited to have three new Michelin star restaurants in Co Cork: The Mews in Baltimore, West Cork under chef Ahmet Dede; Ichigo Ichie in Cork city owned by chef Takashi Miyazaki and Chestnut in Ballydehob with chef Rob Krawczyk (a Ballymaloe Cookery School alumni).

IT’S that time of year when ghoulish figures tempt us with oversweet treats, and black jeans and hats get an airing for the Cork Jazz Festival. This week I am taking you on a journey of discovery of black foods to serve for Halloween parties or quick bites between house or music visits — that take little effort to use.

Three Cork restaurants have been awarded the prestigious Michelin star award for the first time.

Ideally, any newly-opened restaurant should hit its marks from day one; surely it shortchanges customers to do otherwise? That said, I have always thought it only fair to allow a grace period for ‘bedding in’ before reviewing any new arrival. So why, oh why, am I reviewing Restaurant Chestnut on its opening night? asks Joe McNamee.

Do, please, come in and sit down, 2018! Extend your palm thusly, that Mystic Menu might divine your path over the coming 12 months. As always, this Al-Menu-nac for the year ahead begins with a brief look at predictions delivered in January last year, the hits and the misses.

BBQ for a great cause: Sage Restaurant in Midleton will host a Summer BBQ on Monday (July 24) as a fundraiser for the Time for Tilara fund.