Articles

Darina gives some very timely statistics on food production and sustainability, which are shocking but not surprising, and advocates a return to mixed farming. But, now that the current situation is at least being acknowledged as a crisis, she senses that we’re on the cusp of change- and shares some ways in which we can all be part of the solution.
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Ah… Paris in the spring. In her guide to a Food Lover’s Weekend in Paris, Darina shares tips on some of the most exciting places to eat and shop in the gastronomic capital. She welcomes the explosion of modern ingredients-led cooking and informal eating places, revels in the specialist cookware shops - and notes where she felt quality wasn’t quite up to scratch…
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This month Darina talks about her Ballymaloe Alumni and what they’ve all been getting up to since graduating from Ireland’s leading cookery school
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This month Darina talks about Food Trends for 2019, based on her observations over the past year. What’s hot - and what’s not
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This month Darina talks about the growing popularity of vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian diets - and how this fast-growing phenomenon is age-related and linked to concern for animal welfare and the environment. Even if you’re a committed omnivore there are times when meat-free meals are a refreshing change - just the business to lighten up the protein-heavy festive period around Christmas and New Year.
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This month Darina talks about success in achieving recognition for the culinary scene outside the capital, keeping up standards, the big VAT hike that’s forcing up prices and threatening the future of rural restaurants - and enthusiastic young foodies like James Kavanagh and William Murray, whose recently published Currabinny Cookbook exudes a love of food. Their mission is to encourage other cool young people like themselves to “discover the joy and larks to be had around the kitchen stove, doing pop-ups, selling at Farmers Markets and sharing the yummy food they’ve cooked with friends.”
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This month Darina talks about a recent visit to Copenhagen, the capital of the Nordic food scene, to attend the MAD Food Symposium and The World Food Summit.
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This month Darina shares ‘a short reconnaissance trip’, visiting producers and some places that serve delicious simple food
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This time Darina celebrates the currant season - it’s only here for a short time but currants freeze brilliantly and frozen berries can be used in any of the recipes
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What joy, the garden and greenhouses are bursting with produce, so are the Farmers and Country markets and hopefully, your local shops and supermarkets are offering the bounty of the season to tempt you to make beautiful salads, pasta dishes, gorgeous soups and crudtiés.
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