The Menu has long been a fan of the work of Dr Colin Sage of the School of the Human Environment, in UCC, and also Founder/Chair of the Cork Food Policy Council.

As well as being a wonderful restaurateur, running two fine Dublin-based establishments, Cake Café and Slice, The Menu’s weekly colleague Michelle Darmody has always operated above and beyond the base requirements of the industry.

The Menu returns once again with his Yuletide roundup of the very best of 2014 to fill the Christmas Hamper as well as his food awards, The Munchies, a tip of the hat to those who labour long and hard to make local, sustainable Irish produce to a world-class standard.

Buy locally sourced or Irish produce this Christmas