The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Is Irish food culture more than chicken fillet rolls?

Chef and food writer Orla McAndrew discusses Irish food identity, local producers, and changing eating habits

Chef Orla McAndrew joins Deirdre O'Shaughnessy to discuss Irish food culture, local growers, and the chicken fillet roll debate

When Rory McIlroy dismissed Irish food, saying he wouldn’t include it at a glitzy event because he wanted to enjoy himself, most Irish people shrugged — and possibly even agreed with him.

Centra sold nearly 10 million chicken fillet rolls in 2025, and many Irish celebrities, when asked in interviews what foods they miss most from home, mention Tayto or Kerrygold.

Writing in the Irish Examiner earlier this week, chef and food writer Orla McAndrew described her surprise when non-Irish friends living in Ireland characterised Irish food culture in those terms, with garage delis and hot chicken rolls earning honourable mentions.

She joins Deirdre O'Shaughnessy on today’s episode of the podcast to discuss Irish food culture, the challenges facing local growers, the school meals row, and Ireland’s enduring obsession with making sure everyone at a wedding gets enough meat.