food columnists

2030231_1_org_Darina_Allen
Darina Allen: How to make a beef burger and my secret to make it perfect
Michelle Darmody
Michelle Darmody: How to make homemade bagels 
Aishling Moore
Aishling Moore: A trip to Vienna inspired this monkfish scampi with tomato and anchovy ketchup
Sarah_Butler
Sarah Butler: Two easy and tasty one-pot dinner recipes to batch cook for busy days

FOOD NEWS

Pancakes
7 of the best places in Cork to indulge your pancake cravings
Whether you’re a sweet or savoury pancake lover, there is something for everyone in Cork City

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Joe McNamee: Your Valentine's chocolate could be confectionery — here's how to tell the difference
Joe McNamee: Your Valentine's chocolate could be confectionery — here's how to tell the difference
In Ireland and Britain, most of what we call ‘chocolate’ is no more than confectionery, sweetened chocolate-flavoured treats

Sat, 14 Feb, 2026

Restaurant review: This Adare café nails each dish every time — I left a very happy diner
S Restaurant review: This Adare café nails each dish every time — I left a very happy diner
Even in the depths of winter, Cafe Logr shines like summer

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

Older couple toasting each other at romantic dinner
Wine with Leslie: Three bottles of wine I recommend for a Valentine's Day date
Pink has become one of the colours of the day, so, of course, I recommend a food-friendly rosé below as well as a craft pink gin

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

Restaurant review: Kinsale's St Francis Provisions is one of Ireland’s finest restaurants
Restaurant review: Kinsale's St Francis Provisions is one of Ireland’s finest restaurants
Kinsale’s St Francis Provisions claimed the Best Service award at the Michelin Guide Ireland & Britain Awards Ceremony 2026 at Dublin’s Convention Centre. Here's is our 2023 review of the Cork restaurant

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Michelin night brings stars, surprises — but no Irish three-star yet
Michelin night brings stars, surprises — but no Irish three-star yet
Irish hopes for a historic Michelin three-star fade, but new stars, service awards and celebrations still light up Dublin

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Two Irish restaurants earn first Michelin stars at Dublin ceremony
Two Irish restaurants earn first Michelin stars at Dublin ceremony
Forest Avenue and The Pullman claimed their first Michelin stars as Ireland hosted the guide’s ceremony for the first time

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Everything you need to know about tonight's Michelin Guide ceremony in Dublin
Everything you need to know about tonight's Michelin Guide ceremony in Dublin
Five Irish restaurants, including two from Cork, are contenders for three stars as the Michelin awards ceremony comes to Ireland for the first time — could it finally happen?

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Super Bowl: Fingerlicking American recipes to make for Sunday's big game
Super Bowl: Fingerlicking American recipes to make for Sunday's big game
Buffalo chicken wings, mac and cheese, and peanut butter pecan pie are all on the menu

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

Restaurant review: Soulful homeliness and a welcome sense of place in dishes at Spitalfields
S Restaurant review: Soulful homeliness and a welcome sense of place in dishes at Spitalfields
I last reviewed Spitalfields in September 2019, shortly after it opened. Stephen McAllister’s menu arrived fully formed, full of instant classics, most of which are still on the menu today

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

Will the Michelin awards herald Ireland’s first Michelin three-starred restaurant?
Will the Michelin awards herald Ireland’s first Michelin three-starred restaurant?
There are now 23 Michelin-starred restaurants in Ireland, five with two stars

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

Still life photo of grapes, wine bottle and wine glass
Wine with Leslie: Grenache falls under the radar despite being one of the most planted grapes
Grenache plantings may have reduced a little in recent years but it is still the primary grape in Côtes-du-Rhône, Provence and much of Southern France

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

Inside the final chapter of Cork’s Quay Co-Op restaurant and the movement it created
S Inside the final chapter of Cork’s Quay Co-Op restaurant and the movement it created
As the restaurant closes, the story of how the Quay Co-Op fed Cork’s counterculture and conscience comes into focus

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

Top 8 foods for a romantic Valentine's Day brunch — or breakfast in bed
Top 8 foods for a romantic Valentine's Day brunch — or breakfast in bed
For our Top 8, I’ve put together some breakfast ideas worth lingering over

Fri, 06 Feb, 2026

‘We’ve had the run of our lives’: The Tannery restaurant to close after 30 years
‘We’ve had the run of our lives’: The Tannery restaurant to close after 30 years
The owners of the popular Dungarvan restaurant said they are 'closing because we can, not because we have to'

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026

Catherine Fulvio on how to teach the basics of cooking to the TikTok generation
Catherine Fulvio on how to teach the basics of cooking to the TikTok generation
Catherine Fulvio’s online cooking course is ideal for transition year students who wish to learn new skills

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Farmgate Lismore among five Irish restaurants awarded Bib Gourmands
Farmgate Lismore among five Irish restaurants awarded Bib Gourmands
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland Awards take place in Dublin on Monday, February 9, where restaurants will be awarded coveted Michelin stars

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

Sarah Butler: Comfort food recipes for homemade lasagne and marble cake — and a goodbye
Sarah Butler: Comfort food recipes for homemade lasagne and marble cake — and a goodbye
Thank you for cooking with me

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

Restaurant review: Market Lane is turning 20 soon — here's what it's like to dine there
S Restaurant review: Market Lane is turning 20 soon — here's what it's like to dine there
Cork very lucky to call Market Lane its own

Sun, 01 Feb, 2026

Teenage Girl Recording Video While Eating Sandwich in Kitchen
Joe McNamee: 'Wellness' sector is worth $1trn — but much on TikTok is downright dangerous
The internet is where science and facts can be distinctly second to clicks, likes, and followers.

Sat, 31 Jan, 2026

Close up shot of man and woman toasting and drinking red wine from glasses on dinner
Wine with Leslie: Red wines to warm you up as spring begins
While we wait for spring weather, let’s look for warmth and sustenance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

A gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar cake lands in Irish M&S shops — here are the details
A gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar cake lands in Irish M&S shops — here are the details
A gluten-free version of the cake has been the most requested product on M&S Food’s social media

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Graham Norton Show - London
Nigella Lawson to replace Prue Leith on Great British Bake Off
The TV chef and cookbook author will replace the outgoing judge

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

preparing vegan cabbage rolls on wooden kitchen board
Joe McNamee: After an exceedingly carnivorous Christmas, I found myself doing Veganuary
After an exceedingly carnivorous Christmas that left me feeling like a bear on the cusp of hibernation, I find myself craving the non-meat option

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026

Restaurant review: The menu at Hang Dai Chinese will get you through the January blues
S Restaurant review: The menu at Hang Dai Chinese will get you through the January blues
Hang Dai’s menu is a mix of small and larger plates, with everything designed for sharing, and there is also the option of a ‘family style’ tasting menu

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

red wine on young adults valentines day table
Leslie Williams: Forget about dry January — life is too short
Instead of depriving myself of delicious things this January, I have instead been indulging in African and East and Southern Asian flavours

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

'I’m 86 for goodness sake': Prue Leith to leave Great British Bake Off
'I’m 86 for goodness sake': Prue Leith to leave Great British Bake Off
She announced she has decided to step down from the role after nine series

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

How an anti-inflammatory diet and these recipes transformed my endometriosis symptoms
How an anti-inflammatory diet and these recipes transformed my endometriosis symptoms
Lauren Taylor chats to cookery author and women’s health advocate Sophie Richards about whole foods, cooking and cravings. Sophie also shares some recipes from her new book below

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

'It will be hard to say goodbye': Owners to bid farewell to West Cork restaurant Poachers
'It will be hard to say goodbye': Owners to bid farewell to West Cork restaurant Poachers
Poachers opened in 2006 with a pronounced focus on delivering dishes using fresh Irish fish and seafood

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Restaurant review: Sadler's in Tipperary falls far behind the rest of the pack
S Restaurant review: Sadler's in Tipperary falls far behind the rest of the pack
If this meal was a steed, the racecourse vet would be slipping behind a screen to put it out of its misery

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

Pouring red wine
Wine with Leslie: Why Piedmont is my favourite Italian destination
The Slow Food movement was founded in Piedmont, and besides the wines, there are white truffles, agnolotti, vitello tonnato, bagna cauda and chocolate hazelnut tarts

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Unhealthy products. food bad for figure, skin, heart and teeth.
Joe McNamee: Where the US leads, we seem to follow
Big business in the US is now royally spooked

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

Sophie Morris: 'Adding nuts and seeds to your breakfast is a really good hack'
Sophie Morris: 'Adding nuts and seeds to your breakfast is a really good hack'
Author Sophie Morris has all the tips to help us skip the UPF products - or switch them for something better - along with ideas for good things to make that are both delicious and nourishing

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026

Michelin Guide names three new Irish restaurants ahead of historic awards
Michelin Guide names three new Irish restaurants ahead of historic awards
A Sunday roast favourite, Dublin's first Irish-Filipino restaurant and a newcomer in Galway made the list 

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

A close-up of elegant glasses with alcoholic beverages. Cups with colorful sparkling wines from different grape varieties. Champ
Wine with Leslie: Weighing up calories and alcohol levels in wines from various regions
Alcohol levels in all wines have crept up in recent years, thanks largely to warmer summers and the popularity of riper styles

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

Alcohol Drinking - Stock
Joe McNamee: 'Old Dublin pubs are one of the best things about our capital city'
The Guinness Irish Pub Concept became a thriving business that kicked off in the early 90s, designing and building interiors for five different pub styles

Sat, 10 Jan, 2026

Restaurant review: Old school classics to bank on at Díon Rooftop Restaurant and Bar in Dublin
S Restaurant review: Old school classics to bank on at Díon Rooftop Restaurant and Bar in Dublin
We started with cocktails because it is that kind of space

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Chicken tikka masala spicy curry meat food with rice and naan bread
Turn up the heat with our Top 8 tikka masala sauces 
Cold weather has us craving warm spices in warm dishes bubbling to heat us from the inside.

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Restaurant review: This Cork favourite puts the Izz into Palestinian pizzazz
S Restaurant review: This Cork favourite puts the Izz into Palestinian pizzazz
Izz Cafe is a truly special restaurant, with lovely staff serving great food.

Sun, 04 Jan, 2026

happy friends drinking red wine at christmas party
Wine with Leslie: De-alcoholised wines have improved enormously
I’m not doing dry January or any other penance, I was good last year

Sat, 03 Jan, 2026

Pan fried duck.
Joe McNamee: My preview of the year ahead in restaurants
Joe McNamee looks to the year ahead in the world of food

Sat, 03 Jan, 2026

Healty eating
Food resolutions that just might stick
Ditch self-denial and embrace more sustainable goals in 2026 to add big flavour and vital nutrition to your diet

Fri, 02 Jan, 2026

Cold weather food: Five soups, stews and casseroles to warm you up from the inside out
Cold weather food: Five soups, stews and casseroles to warm you up from the inside out
Stay cosy this week with our favourite winter warmer recipes 

Thu, 01 Jan, 2026

Joe McNamee is back with part two of his annual food accolades
Joe McNamee is back with part two of his annual food accolades
Part 2 of Joe McNamee's annual food accolades, The Munchies, in which he rounds up his food highlights of the year.

Sat, 27 Dec, 2025

Chef characters set. Cartoon chief cooking in restaurant. Cook with tray and different meals. Food industry. Vector illustration
The biggest dining trends of 2025, from pop-ups and chef collabs to traditional Irish produce
Shorter menus, comfort food, and a ‘vibe-cession’ are some of the factors influencing dining out

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Hands, group and toast champagne at party in celebration, goals or connection for success in career at night. Business people, d
Wine with Leslie: Three Champagnes inspired by women that you need to try
Toast the women of Champagne with these drinks

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

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Darina Allen
Darina Allen

Serving up top food every Saturday

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