food columnists

Michelle Darmody.png
Michelle Darmody: How to bake a classic ricotta cheesecake — and the mistakes to avoid
2030231_1_org_Darina_Allen
Darina Allen: Three highlights from my MAD trip to Copenhagen
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: Waterford's Mara packs potential to make huge waves
S Restaurant review: Waterford's Mara packs potential to make huge waves
"The vaulting epicurean ambition afoot in Mara is very apparent. It is also remarkable. To paraphrase Churchill, never has so much been cooked by so few for so many."

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

The Menu: Get your teeth into making the most of meat
The Menu: Get your teeth into making the most of meat
"Our grandparents were so familiar with the inside of a butcher’s shop — or multiple butchers’ shops, when ‘shopping around’ was de rigueur — they could probably reassemble an entire carcass from the constituent cuts laid out at the counter, most of us now buy our meat in the supermarket; the supermarkets, in turn, mostly buy it in already shrink-wrapped from the processor."

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

'It’s lovely to be able to bring something vibrant to where you live': New café opens its doors in Cork town
'It’s lovely to be able to bring something vibrant to where you live': New café opens its doors in Cork town
Mark and Fiona O’Brien, salon directors of Mark Vincent Hair and Beauty in Ballincollig, have opened the café in the same unit as their existing business

Fri, 20 Jun, 2025

Langhe vineyards Barolo Nebbiolo grape
Wine with Leslie: This fragrant and fruit-driven Nebbiolo is a bargain
I adore the scents, flavours and textures to be found in even modest bottles of wine, and of course in great wines from say Burgundy, Bordeaux and Piedmont (to name just three of my favourite regions).

Fri, 20 Jun, 2025

Irish Examiner Eats: Magical 'after hours' dining at iconic Farmgate Café
Irish Examiner Eats: Magical 'after hours' dining at iconic Farmgate Café
Special menu awaited diners after the historic market had shut up shop for the day

Thu, 19 Jun, 2025

Sarah Butler: These quick, nutritious dishes tick every dinnertime box
Sarah Butler: These quick, nutritious dishes tick every dinnertime box
Together, these recipes are delicious proof that feeding your family well doesn’t have to be complicated — or time-consuming.

Mon, 16 Jun, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: How to make a classic fish and chips
Seafood Made Simple: How to make a classic fish and chips
This weekend, I’m sharing my preferred method for making chips at home. I’ve opted for some skin-on wedge-shaped chunks, but slice as you wish if you’d prefer a typical chip. 

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: Sushi gets elevated to an artform in this thrilling Galway experience
S Restaurant review: Sushi gets elevated to an artform in this thrilling Galway experience
Wa Sushi (formerly Wa Café) was created by Yoshimi Hayakawa, who has lived in Galway for over two decades

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

The Menu: Déise delights as Waterford's food reputation goes from a whisper to a roar
The Menu: Déise delights as Waterford's food reputation goes from a whisper to a roar
Paul and Máire Flynn, of The Tannery, are Waterford food heroes, contributing immeasurably to the transformation of Dungarvan into one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations ever before the Greenway arrived, but its opening has only compounded the seaside town’s success

Sat, 14 Jun, 2025

Top 8 rhubarb tarts to pick up ahead of Father's Day
Top 8 rhubarb tarts to pick up ahead of Father's Day
We did a straw poll of favourite sweet treats to be served to men at any time of day on Sunday.

Fri, 13 Jun, 2025

farmhouse Trullo in a wineyard near Alberobello
Wine with Leslie: Deep reds to savour from my Italian excursion
"I've frequently praised the wines of Puglia on this page, so it was wonderful to drink them in situ."

Fri, 13 Jun, 2025

Examiner Eats Club at Farmgate Café: Don't miss your seat at the table
S Examiner Eats Club at Farmgate Café: Don't miss your seat at the table
We are thrilled to announce the summer return of Examiner Eats Club, our exclusive subscriber series, celebrating great food, unique venues, and the Irish Examiner food community.

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Myrtle Allen's Ballymaloe Cookbook makes Vogue's list of '41 Cookbooks That Everyone Should Own'
Myrtle Allen's Ballymaloe Cookbook makes Vogue's list of '41 Cookbooks That Everyone Should Own'
Two classic Irish cookbooks, Diana Henry’s How to Eat a Peach and Myrtle Allen’s seminal Ballymaloe Cookbook, sit at the top tier alongside some other very worthy inclusions on the list published by Vogue

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Sarah Butler: Two quick and comforting cheesy recipes the whole family will enjoy
Sarah Butler: Two quick and comforting cheesy recipes the whole family will enjoy
Mountains of flavour, minimal fuss

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: Cork cocktail bar Cask now also a great restaurant
S Restaurant review: Cork cocktail bar Cask now also a great restaurant
Food to match classy cocktails at Cask

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

The Menu: A rare award that has the greater good of the Irish food world as its concern
The Menu: A rare award that has the greater good of the Irish food world as its concern
Some commercial judges would struggle to judge a crisp-opening competition

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: This anchovy pizza recipe is a fabulous balance of sweet and salty
Seafood Made Simple: This anchovy pizza recipe is a fabulous balance of sweet and salty
This Basque beauty rivals the pizza

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025

Wine producer mane tasting the product after harvest and grape fermentation process - Vinification, organic quality product and
Wine with Leslie: Rediscovering an Italian grape that almost went extinct
The Pecorino grape was brought back from the brink of extinction in the past two decades and now fills the wine lists and shelves during my recent visit to Italy

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Happily ever after with greener bites — staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult
Happily ever after with greener bites — staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult
Staying sustainable on your big day doesn’t have to be difficult. Caroline Hennessy talks to Michael O’Neill of Clonakilty’s Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens about reducing waste and using local produce

Fri, 06 Jun, 2025

Paul Hollywood: I put on Coldplay and bake some bread 
Paul Hollywood's top tips for beginner bakers and recipes to try
Lauren Taylor chats to The Great British Bake Off star about criticism, handshakes and his beginner baking tips.

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Sarah Butler: How to make loaded nachos or cod goujons for a casual family dinner
Sarah Butler: How to make loaded nachos or cod goujons for a casual family dinner
Casual vibes with a nod to nostalgia

Mon, 02 Jun, 2025

The Menu: I ignored the warning tingle of a food allergy — soon I was waiting for an ambulance
The Menu: I ignored the warning tingle of a food allergy — soon I was waiting for an ambulance
I am now in deep mourning for the permanent loss of aubergines

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Meet the Irish chefs making waves in top London restaurants
Meet the Irish chefs making waves in top London restaurants
There are so many significant Irish names in the hospitality game that each year one of London’s top restaurant websites, Hot Dinners, publishes the Murphia list, highlighting the 50 most influential Irish people in the food scene in the city

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

30 special spots across Munster and Ireland that are perfect for summer dining
S 30 special spots across Munster and Ireland that are perfect for summer dining
From waterside tables to seaside views, each of these places will make your sunshine dining extra special

Sun, 01 Jun, 2025

Portrait of Happy woman enjoying with first time to eat street food
'I'm not against food influencers — as long as they aren’t just trying to get a free meal'
A new generation of food influencers are changing how people engage with the Irish restaurant scene, writes Jordan Mooney

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Restaurant review: Persistence required to book a table here but it will be worth it
S Restaurant review: Persistence required to book a table here but it will be worth it
A magical place that brings food to meet your heart’s desires every 10 minutes

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: Try Aishling Moore's monkfish cheek and chorizo rice recipe
Seafood Made Simple: Try Aishling Moore's monkfish cheek and chorizo rice recipe
Plus the lessons we can learn from David Attenborough on overfishing

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Pizza with salami, prosciutto, tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh arugula
Taste of Italy: These delicious pizzas are the perfect freezer fillers this summer
For this week's top 8, we kept an eye out for old favourites along with new flavour combinations. We also spotted pizza dough in freezer compartments, for those who want to choose their own toppings. 

Fri, 30 May, 2025

Greek food background. Traditional different greek dishes.
Wine with Leslie: Greece has been making wine for millennia — here are three to try
Wine consumption was considered essential for the development of philosophical ideas, cf.: The modern Irish pub. 

Fri, 30 May, 2025

Munster producers championed at Euro-Toques Ireland Food Awards
Munster producers championed at Euro-Toques Ireland Food Awards
Three of seven awards on offer went to food producers from the Southern province with many other Munster producers amongst the nominees

Tue, 27 May, 2025

Sarah Butler: How to make two family-friendly meals with sausages
Sarah Butler: How to make two family-friendly meals with sausages
Both recipes are practical, flavourful, and designed with real family life in mind

Mon, 26 May, 2025

Restaurant review: Farmgate Lismore is one of my new favourite Irish restaurants
S Restaurant review: Farmgate Lismore is one of my new favourite Irish restaurants
An old school classic reborn anew in wonderful west Waterford.

Sun, 25 May, 2025

The Menu: Without immigrants, Ireland's food scene would collapse
The Menu: Without immigrants, Ireland's food scene would collapse
Good food transcends all borders

Sat, 24 May, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: My chilli oil recipe is perfect for salads, rice and these steamed mussels
Seafood Made Simple: My chilli oil recipe is perfect for salads, rice and these steamed mussels
Spice it up with your own chilli oil

Sat, 24 May, 2025

A bottle of red wine in a feel of vines with a church
Wine with Leslie: The best bargains from the French wine sale
Selections this week are all from the Languedoc

Fri, 23 May, 2025

Cork restaurant named best in Ireland at Irish Restaurant Awards
Cork restaurant named best in Ireland at Irish Restaurant Awards
Dede at the Customs House in Baltimore was named Best Restaurant at an awards ceremony on Monday 

Tue, 20 May, 2025

Sarah Butler: These simple family staples are bursting with flavour
Sarah Butler: These simple family staples are bursting with flavour
These dishes are simple to prepare, packed with flavour, and easily adaptable for different occasions—from weeknight dinners to relaxed weekend barbecues

Mon, 19 May, 2025

The Menu: Wouldn't it be wonderful to buy fresh fruit and veg grown by your neighbour?
The Menu: Wouldn't it be wonderful to buy fresh fruit and veg grown by your neighbour?
Since the 90s, we have lost over 90% of horticultural producers and on what Bord Bia once marketed as the Food Island, we import 83% of our fresh fruit and vegetables, including apples and potatoes, both easily grown in Ireland

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Restaurant review: Dining in original carriages from the Orient Express overlooking Lake Corrib
S Restaurant review: Dining in original carriages from the Orient Express overlooking Lake Corrib
The Pullman is only open a couple of months in its new guise and there is oodles of talent and potential

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Seafood Made Simple: These home baked beans go well with any piece of fish
Seafood Made Simple: These home baked beans go well with any piece of fish
Plus a tribute to Jamie Oliver simplicity

Sat, 17 May, 2025

red wine on young adults valentines day table
Wine with Leslie: It's a myth that red wine has to be room temperature — here's how to chill it
I served two of the wines featured below lightly chilled over the bank holiday weekend

Fri, 16 May, 2025

Five crowd-pleasing barbecue classics to try this weekend
Five crowd-pleasing barbecue classics to try this weekend
If you're thinking of getting the barbecue out this weekend, why not try some of these tasty options

Fri, 16 May, 2025

Top 8: Chutney and relish options for the perfect summer sandwich
Top 8: Chutney and relish options for the perfect summer sandwich
Give your summer sandwiches a lift with these fillings 

Fri, 16 May, 2025

Sarah Butler: How to make my tomato pesto chicken for dinner in under 30 minutes
Sarah Butler: How to make my tomato pesto chicken for dinner in under 30 minutes
This dish is a real family favourite — comforting and ready in under 30 minutes.

Mon, 12 May, 2025

Restaurant review: This Cork institution is a national treasure in the making
S Restaurant review: This Cork institution is a national treasure in the making
Tonight, it seems plugged directly into the national grid, the room alive with energy of deeply contented diners.

Sun, 11 May, 2025

Smokin Soul
The Menu: The Irish barbecue scene has evolved at a mighty clip
My own “Gurus of the Grill” are the doughty duo, Pat Conway and Jim O’Brien, of Smokin’ Soul

Sat, 10 May, 2025

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Darina Allen
Darina Allen

Serving up top food every Saturday

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