food columnists

2030231_1_org_Darina_Allen
Darina Allen: Three recipes from Izz Café's new cookbook
Michelle Darmody.png
Michelle Darmody: Ways to make the classic pasty — and the mistakes to avoid
Sarah Butler
Sarah Butler: My carbonara recipe is sure to impress, even in a rush
Aishling Moore
Seafood Made Simple: This smoked mackerel colcannon is a perfect lunch recipe

food

Restaurant review: This Kenmare eatery nails the produce, but falls short of precision
S Restaurant review: This Kenmare eatery nails the produce, but falls short of precision
"Some pause for thought when conceiving dishes and then a little more precision in their delivery, and [they] would be guaranteed to nail it every single time."

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Happy friends having bbq dinner party sitting in garden restaurant table - Family enjoying lunch break together eating fresh foo
Wine with Leslie: Three bottles for your August bank holiday barbecue 
With picks from €12 - €24, here's something for every taste and budget 

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Farmgate restaurant delighted by 'great and unexpected' inclusion in Michelin Guide
Farmgate restaurant delighted by 'great and unexpected' inclusion in Michelin Guide
The restaurant opened just 13 months ago after devastating floods in Midleton forced a relocation to Lismore and Sally O'Brien says the Michelin recognition has been a great boost for her team

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Examiner Eats Club at The Glass Curtain: Don't miss your seat at the table
S Examiner Eats Club at The Glass Curtain: Don't miss your seat at the table
We are excited to reveal the location of the second summer sitting of Examiner Eats Club, our exclusive subscriber series, celebrating great food, unique venues, and the Irish Examiner food community.

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: Why it's the perfect time to try my recipe for whole baked plaice
Seafood Made Simple: Why it's the perfect time to try my recipe for whole baked plaice
As a proud Cork woman, I’m delighted to be in the thick of Cork on a Fork this year

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: This Dublin 6 eatery is building to something luxurious
S Restaurant review: This Dublin 6 eatery is building to something luxurious
Philip Yeung opened Craft in 2016, having previously been head chef in Town Bar and Grill, and Bang. The space is modern and comfortable with a choice of sitting at the front facing Harold’s Cross Rd or a quieter space at the rear of the (relatively) narrow space

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Sarah Butler: These one-dish wonders are perfect for summer evening madness
Sarah Butler: These one-dish wonders are perfect for summer evening madness
Both the Classic Family Spaghetti Bolognese and the Honey and Mustard One-Pan Rice are designed with busy families in mind — they're hearty, fuss-free, and flexible enough to fit your schedule.

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Joe McNamee: Is it time to subsidise Irish hospitality?
Joe McNamee: Is it time to subsidise Irish hospitality?
'There is one question that gauges the real viability of Irish hospitality like no other: as a waiter/server, will I qualify for a mortgage? The answer is almost inevitably, no'

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Paper cups with delicious ice cream and vanilla pods on wooden board, closeup
Top 8: Get the scoop on the best of shop-bought ice creams this summer
For this week’s Top 8 supermarket shopping expedition, I enlisted the help of the seven- and 12-year-olds to choose from the shelves. They and their three-year-old brother, along with an eight-year-old cousin, were happy to taste them all.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Shock as Terre chef steps down from two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Castlemartyr Resort
Shock as Terre chef steps down from two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Castlemartyr Resort
During his time there, Frenchman Vincent Crepel guided the East Cork restaurant to first one, then two Michelin stars in just 18 months.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Vineyards in summer with San Vicente de la Sonsierra village as background, La Rioja, Spain
Wine with Leslie: I went to Rioja with Lidl — here's what I learned 
'I was particularly curious to see how they can sell Rioja at such a low price'

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Sarah Butler: These homemade 'fakeaways' are great for getting kids into the kitchen
Sarah Butler: These homemade 'fakeaways' are great for getting kids into the kitchen
The wholesome comfort of a homemade omelette, and the bold, crunchy joy of KFC-style chicken tenders

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Ireland’s best food trucks and street food stalls to try this summer
S Ireland’s best food trucks and street food stalls to try this summer
From seafood rolls in Clare to dosa in Dublin, Ireland’s food truck scene is thriving — if you know where to look

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Close-up of Cauliflower Growing in Field
Midweek Meals: Five ways to give the humble cauliflower a main-course glow-up
Naturally low in fat and calories; and naturally high in fibre - with 26% of those calories being pure protein

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: New potatoes are here — try them in a smoked halibut salad
Seafood Made Simple: New potatoes are here — try them in a smoked halibut salad
The process of bathing the smoked fish in low-temperature butter results in a brilliant transfer of flavour from the fish into the butter, resulting in the most delicious dressing for floury spuds.

Sun, 20 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Early days, but good omens for this East Cork bistro and pub
S Restaurant review: Early days, but good omens for this East Cork bistro and pub
"The large open room with lovely views onto the harbour and bay remains intact, but we insist on first sitting out on the tiny terrace by the front door, the better to drink in that glorious vista and an equally glorious pint of stout."

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025

melting Ice cream at Fistral beach, Newquay, Cornwall on a bright sunny June day.
The Menu: Summer snackers have 99 problems — but the cone ain't one
"A good ice cream, with the ideal combination of fats, sugars and flavouring, is a singular and unique eating experience, all down to the alchemy triggered by temperature, as the coldness of ‘ice’ encounters the ‘cream’."

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025

This Cork food stall's Lebanese mezze boxes are great for a balanced lunch
This Cork food stall's Lebanese mezze boxes are great for a balanced lunch
Healthy and delicious, Lebanese mezze makes the ideal portable summertime lunch. Caroline Hennessy talks to Cork-based Rabih Farah about his Bia Beirut farmers' market stall.

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

Mature salesman taking stock at supermarket wine section
Wine with Leslie: Three bottles you won't find in a supermarket
"How boring to live in a world of just Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay. So this week I have chosen three tasty whites made from lesser-known grapes that offer flavour, texture and character..."

Fri, 18 Jul, 2025

'A heartfelt thank you': Organisers of Coffee for Palestine campaign thank customers for support
'Thank you for showing up for Palestine': Coffee campaign raises €100k for Gaza
Businesses taking part in the campaign pledged the value of 10 coffees a day for seven days to the Coffee For Palestine campaign from June 23 to June 29

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Midweek Meals: Five unusual ways to get the best of courgettes
Midweek Meals: Five unusual ways to get the best of courgettes
From salad to sides, to chocolate-and-courgette buns, here are five ways to use up these in-season veg

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Familarity and attention to detail makes Dublin's Delahunt a must
S Restaurant review: Familarity and attention to detail makes Dublin's Delahunt a must
"Tables have white marble tops which add to the atmosphere and there are booths, and private dining rooms, bar seating (yes, it too was made from lovingly polished dark wood), and high bar tables which are reserved for walk-ins."

Sun, 13 Jul, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: Steamed hake with a fragrant coconut and lemongrass curry
Seafood Made Simple: Steamed hake with a fragrant coconut and lemongrass curry
"Such a fantastic accompaniment to seafood, this lemongrass and coconut curry sauce sings with a piece of steamed hake."

Sat, 12 Jul, 2025

Sarah Butler: These chicken traybake and Thai red curry recipes are midweek meal-makers
Sarah Butler: These chicken traybake and Thai red curry recipes are midweek meal-makers
If you’re a busy parent looking for wholesome, flavour-packed meals that the whole family will enjoy, these two recipes are here to save your weeknights.

Sat, 12 Jul, 2025

The Menu: How our children can help us fix Ireland's food system
The Menu: How our children can help us fix Ireland's food system
"GIY’s Grow at School programme — establishing school gardens, providing resources and linking garden activities to the curriculum — is a quite brilliant initiative, now flourishing in 700 Irish primary schools, reaching 100,000 children."

Sat, 12 Jul, 2025

Hummus in plate, bread pita - dip food
Top 8: These shop-bought hummus meals are a taste of the Middle East
"All our samples pair well with fish and are delicious served in pitta bread with shredded lettuce, and tomatoes."

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Senior woman using digital tablet
Wine with Leslie: Keep it in the family with these wine selections
"A vigneron in Valencia has more in common with a winter barley grower in Tipperary than they would ever have with an urbanite like me."

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Sarah Butler: My chicken and broccoli bake is a cosy family crowd-pleaser
Sarah Butler: My chicken and broccoli bake is a cosy family crowd-pleaser
"...combining tender chicken, lightly steamed broccoli, and a creamy herb sauce made with garlic, leek, and a touch of white wine. Topped with golden, cheesy breadcrumbs, it’s everything you want in a hearty oven bake."

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Fresh organic strawberry
Midweek Meals: It's strawberry season — five ways to get the best from a fruity favourite
Summer strawberries are always a winner - and they're rich in Vitamin C, to boot

Mon, 07 Jul, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: Seaweed scones and herb butter make for sea-deep flavours
Seafood Made Simple: Seaweed scones and herb butter make for sea-deep flavours
Seaweed is an important ingredient in my store cupboard, delivering deep umami and meaty flavours to so many dishes. It’s a fantastic substitute for salt and makes a brilliant seasoning for spuds, vegetables and breads.

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Midleton's Cush does real food — served to a high standard
S Restaurant review: Midleton's Cush does real food — served to a high standard
This is real food, very good produce cooked to a high standard.

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

The Menu: Put it on a plate for the people of Palestine
The Menu: Put it on a plate for the people of Palestine
"I have found it increasingly difficult to wax lyrical about delicious dishes and magnificent meals while a ‘first world’ state weaponises hunger as part of its ethnic cleansing of its own population. Is it any wonder there is such a thing as ‘comfort food’?"

Sat, 05 Jul, 2025

red wine on young adults valentines day table
Wine with Leslie: Looking for lighter reds that refrigerate well?
"Suggestions this week are three reds for drinking cool: a cheapy, an old favourite and a wine with grapes you’ve never tasted."

Fri, 04 Jul, 2025

'A heartfelt thank you': Organisers of Coffee for Palestine campaign thank customers for support
'A heartfelt thank you': Organisers of Coffee for Palestine campaign thank customers for support
Participating businesses pledged the value of 10 coffees a day for seven days to the Coffee For Palestine campaign from June 23 to June 29

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

Myo Café encourages businesses to raise funds for local charities on 'Cork Independence Day'
Myo Café encourages businesses to raise funds for local charities on 'Cork Independence Day'
Myo Café is encouraging businesses across the heart of the rebel county to champion local charities this Saturday

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

FRESHLY HARVESTED RHUBARB, ASPARAGUS AND CELERY
Midweek Meals: Asparagus is nearly out of season — five ways to use up this wonder-veg
It's a natural source of vitamin C, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue; and it's naturally high in protein, too, accounting for 46% of its calories

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

Sarah Butler: Two delicious and no-fuss recipes for quick, nutritious dinners
Sarah Butler: Two delicious and no-fuss recipes for quick, nutritious dinners
Whether you’re juggling summer camp rosters, work commitments, or just trying to avoid another night of washing up, these dishes have you covered.

Mon, 30 Jun, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: A tasty twist in the tail with this chilli-and-mint hake
Seafood Made Simple: A tasty twist in the tail with this chilli-and-mint hake
This dish of peas, chilli and mint is one of my go-to simple suppers when I'm looking for dinner in a flash and the crisper drawer in the fridge is lacking fresh vegetables

Sun, 29 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: No airs at Notions, it’s a fun place to dine
S Restaurant review: No airs at Notions, it’s a fun place to dine
Two Pups coffee shop is 10 years old now and still unfailingly appears on any proper list of ‘best cafés’ in Dublin. They also opened in Fairview in 2023, followed by a bakery upstairs in Francis St; the brilliant Bold Boy Bakery, which supplies both cafes.

Sun, 29 Jun, 2025

Espresso machine
Flat white nation: How Ireland’s coffee obsession grew — and why the beans may be running out
From Lisbon epiphanies to climate-driven supply shocks, Ireland’s love affair with coffee runs deep — but can it last?

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

The Menu: The Gaeltacht — Where I first learned how to eat
The Menu: The Gaeltacht — Where I first learned how to eat
It was a life-changing experience

Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

Woman holding bread on cutting board in kitchen
Top 8: Which of these sourdough breads rises to the occasion?
Why choose sourdough bread over regular bread? Are supermarket options worth buying compared to those from private bakers? We tasted eight different varieties from supermarkets to find the best.

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Meet the Cork family making fresh ice cream with simple ingredients in Nohoval
Meet the Cork family making fresh ice cream with simple ingredients in Nohoval
Using milk and cream from her family farm in Nohoval, Co Cork, Catherine Good of The Good Dairy Company is proudly producing local ice cream

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Chinese Vineyards near the Helan Mountains in Ningxia
Wine with Leslie: Looking east to China for the future of wine
"Wine is not universally drunk in China, of course (baijiu spirit is the alcohol of choice), but it is slowly gaining traction and wineries are popular wedding venues."

Fri, 27 Jun, 2025

Sarah Butler: Feed the whole gang with these fabulous, fast family favourites
Sarah Butler: Feed the whole gang with these fabulous, fast family favourites
Harissa chicken pasta and a homemade spicebag to glitz up your midweek meal rotation

Mon, 23 Jun, 2025

SHAMIM DE BRUN
10 of the coolest drinks to try this summer, from iced matcha to live soda
From boba tea to matcha Shamim de Brún rounds up the season’s warm-weather thirst-quenchers

Sun, 22 Jun, 2025

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Darina Allen
Darina Allen

Serving up top food every Saturday

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