MISSED BY ALL: The Menu was saddened to learn of the recent death of Biddy White Lennon, a fellow member of the Irish Guild of Food Writers, of which she was both a founder member and former chair.

We are a few weeks into the college year now and for many, it’s been a shock to the system, a moment of realisation when the penny drops that you are absolutely on your own — to get up on time, feed yourself, do your washing and the gizillion other little things we’ve become accustomed to others doing for us.

This year’s Macroom Food Festival (Sept 23-25) sets out under the thematic heading of ‘Blás na hÁite’, which is as it should be for the lovely Cork town and its glorious hinterland, heaving with some very fine producers, farmers, and growers, many of them great favourites of The Menu. 

Inside the English Market’s cavernous halls, one large section is home to an even larger character whose silver countertops are slippy with fresh fish.

Weekend food columnist Joe McNamee highlights the best Irish produce each week in The Menu.

The Irish Examiner has opened its vast photographic archive for a festive exhibition which offers a glimpse of Christmas past in Cork.

DIP into dips for snacks and summer lunches, with some delicious and colourful combinations.

They’re as much a part of a Cork Christmas as spiced beef or the crib at the Lough.