Meet the changemakers in Irish food

Meet some of the leading creative minds currently shaking up the Irish food scene, and bolstering the country’s popularity as a culinary destination

Bestselling writer and Picado founder Lily Ramirez-Foran has seen first hand how Irish foodies have embraced new flavours and cooking techniques in recent years.

Sham Hanifa is one of Ireland’s most prolific food entrepreneurs – a chef, owner of three restaurants in Co Leitrim (The Cottage, My Kitchen and Buffalo Boy), creator of Chef Sham Sauces, TV personality and now author.

His book, Agak Agak, is the eleventh in the Blasta Books series that champions diverse voices in Irish food. A celebration of Sham’s Malaysian heritage, Agak Agak means to estimate; to taste as you go until a dish is just right.