One recent evening, towards the tail end of his annual Christmas sojourn in West Cork, The Menu purchased a little ‘dote’ of his favourite of all cheeses, Milleens, to enjoy by the fire with a fine vino, still intent on staving off the return to reality for another few days. 

In Ireland, in the early 70s, farmhouse cheese production had all but vanished. 

Part II of The Munchies 2015, The Menu’s annual accolades saluting the people and achievements that stood out in Ireland’s culinary calendar over the past 12 months.

Of all the fine foodstuffs produced on this green isle, The Menu finds it hard to look past our splendid farmhouse cheeses and so was delighted to see the Irish Cheese Awards finally afforded an occasion worthy of acknowledging that particular sector’s contribution to Irish food at a most splendid night at Ballymaloe. 

WHAT better way to celebrate St Patrick’s Day than with an Irish cheese board.

Harvest Heaven

Celtic cook-off in West Cork

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Four celebrity chefs, 12 questions. Ahead of the Irish Examiner Food Festival next week, Darina Allen, Andrew Rudd, Rachel Allen and Paolo Tullio reveal their dream dinner party guests, memorable meals — and their favourite summer recipes.

FOR the likes of singers Florence Welch and Eliza Doolittle, actor Hugh Jackman and supermodel cum model scout, Erin O’Connor, the humdrum of Monday to Friday eating is nothing short of indulgence thanks to little packages that arrive at their London doorsteps at dawn.

GREATER legislative recognition of the country’s traditional and artisan methods of food production was demanded at an awards ceremony in Dublin yesterday.

GOD bless the cheesemakers.