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Myrtle Allen

The renowned “godmother of Irish food”, Mrs. Myrtle Allen, passed away in June 2018. Fellow guild members remember the late Mrs. Allen and pay tribute to this legendary lady here.

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Acknowledgments

The Irish Food Writers’ Guild is grateful to Bord Bia for their continued sponsorship of the Guild and our Food Awards and to the Herbert Park Hotel for their ongoing generosity in hosting our regular meetings in their excellent facilities.

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Guild member Dr Michelle Darmody is launching her

Guild member Dr Michelle Darmody is launching her book Seed to Supper, published by @9beanrowsbooks, this Wednesday at @hodgesfiggis in Dublin.

Aimed at children aged 9-12, it features bite-size information, DIY activities, anecdotes and facts to help kids learn, grow, cook, and eat their way to a better planet

The launch will take place from 6pm at Hodges Figgis on Dawson Street tomorrow, Wednesday August 28. Congratulations to Michelle!

#food #foodwriter #irishfoodwriter #irishfoodwritersguild

How did a simple pint become such a phenomenon? Li

How did a simple pint become such a phenomenon? Like all great superheroes, the pint has its own origin story, a full-bodied narrative that explains how the beloved beverage came into being and part of everyday life.

In A Compendium of Irish Pints, journalist, pint lover and @foodwritersguild member Ali Dunworth delves into the culture, customs and craic surrounding pints in Ireland.

It has spent weeks on bestseller lists this summer and is a brilliant read, so if you haven’t got your hands on A Compendium of Irish Pints by @alidunworth, published by @edibleireland’s @9beanrowsbooks with illustrations from @hephee, then make sure to pick up your copy soon 🍻

#foodwriter #irishfoodwriter #irishfoodwritersguild #pints

Congratulations to our chairperson @paulacooks on

Congratulations to our chairperson @paulacooks on receiving a one star Great Taste award from the @guildoffinefood for her Paula McIntyre Gin ⭐️

Created in collaboration with Bushmills-based @basaltdistillery, Paula McIntyre gin features botanicals like meadowsweet, elderflower, gorse and blackberries that are combined with alcohol distilled from crystal clear water retrieved from a 600-foot bolt hole driven into basalt rock. It’s the same stone that forms the world famous Giant’s Causeway, which is located just two miles away from the distillery.

The botanicals used in the gin are locally foraged and the resulting flavour includes distinct notes of coconut, vanilla, almond, citrus, and spice. Through her collaboration with Basalt Distillery, she has also created Paula McIntyre Rum and the limited edition Paula McIntyre Magic Star Apple and Elderflower Gin Liqueur.

Congratulations @paulacooks! ⭐️

#greattaste #greattasteawards #greattasteawards2024 #paulamcintyre #paulamcintyregin

Guild member Dr Michelle Darmody is working on Our

Guild member Dr Michelle Darmody is working on Our Shared Plate, a neighbourhood climate action and food security project that is seeking applications from professional artists across all art forms.

@oursharedplateirl is a pilot programme that aims to support neighbourhoods to grow, cook and eat together. It will provide educational workshops, community gardens, eating spaces and more in nine neighbourhoods across Laois, Longford and Waterford. The chosen artist will form an artistic response to the research and mapping being conducted in relation to Our Shared Plate.

Closing date for applications is July 26th. For more information, visit neighbourhoodnetwork.ie

You can also contact project manager Michelle Darmody by email on oursharedplate@neighbourhoodnetwork.ie

@neighbourhoodnetworkirl #food #irishfood #irishfoodwritersguild

[NEW MEMBER] Shamim de Brún is a food and drinks

[NEW MEMBER] Shamim de Brún is a food and drinks writer whose penchant for divilment has led her to weird, wild and wonderful places. A Dublin-born and bred cork dork, she has worked in service, wine, and whiskey before coming to the world of media. She has completed her WSETs and is a Level 2 Cicerone Beer Sommelier. She has also completed specialist Irish Whiskey courses and has worked in a winery under Róisín Curley.

Winner of Emerging Food Writer of the Year 2023 at the Irish Food Writing Awards and part of the team that won Best Social Media, she’s known for her insightful exploration of the intersection between food, identity, and tradition. With a deep-rooted passion for the culinary arts and a keen interest in storytelling, @shamwisegamgeee has carved out a niche for herself as an insightful voice in the Irish food scene.

@paulacooks @properfood_ie

[NEW MEMBER] Oisín Davis is an award winning cock

[NEW MEMBER] Oisín Davis is an award winning cocktail creator, spirits columnist and best selling author of his debut book, ‘Irish Kitchen Cocktails.’ Through his company Great Irish Beverages, he has run nationwide drinks festivals, worked all around the world educating and marketing for Irish whiskey and manages publicity for some of Ireland’s most prestigious spirit brands.

@oisindavis has a monthly award winning column in Food & Wine Magazine, is a regular speaker at international bar and spirits shows and previously wrote a food column in The Irish Times for five years.

@paulacooks @properfood_ie

[NEW MEMBER] @mickoconnellmw is a Dublin based bro

[NEW MEMBER] @mickoconnellmw is a Dublin based broadcaster, writer and wine consultant. He is a Master of Wine, one of seven in Ireland and just over four hundred worldwide. Mick writes about wine in the Business Post, Food & Wine magazine and is a contributor to Movies & Booze on Newstalk’s Moncrieff Show.

@paulacooks @properfood_ie

[NEW MEMBER] Food has played a major part in @ciar

[NEW MEMBER] Food has played a major part in @ciaramcquillan’s life since a very young age, and little has changed since then. Torn between her love of words and her love of food, she studied journalism upon leaving school before pursuing a Degree in Culinary Entrepreneurship from the long lamented DIT in Cathal Brugha Street some years later.

She then went on to embark on a very brief stint running her own cafe before making the switch to full time writing. Currently, she is a contributing restaurant editor and writer for The Gloss Magazine and has also written for The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, CN Traveller, Thrillist and The Telegraph among others.

@paulacooks @properfood_ie

[NEW MEMBER] Sharon Noonan is originally from Ball

[NEW MEMBER] Sharon Noonan is originally from Ballymena, Co Antrim. Her maiden name, Devlin, is synonymous with fresh fruit and vegetables and she grew up in the family business. Having studied Business Studies and French at Queen’s University Belfast, on graduating she embarked on a sales and marketing career which saw her travelling the globe. She now resides in Co. Limerick where she presents the weekly radio show and podcast, Best Possible Taste, focusing on food and drink topics. In 2023, the Best Possible Taste celebrated 10 years on the airwaves making it Ireland’s longest-running food/drink radio show/podcast.

@sharonjnoonan has also produced 2 BAI-funded radio documentaries – “Devlins’ Yellowman – A Taste of Childhood” and “What a BLASt – Celebrating 10 Years of the Irish Food Awards.” She regularly MCs at events, chairs panel discussions, curates content for the Food For Thought stage at Taste of Dublin and has been a guest judge at many hospitality and food awards including the Blas na hEireann / Irish Food Awards.

@properfood_ie @properfood_ie

[NEW MEMBER] Paul Flynn is a chef, restaurateur, c

[NEW MEMBER] Paul Flynn is a chef, restaurateur, cookery school owner and teacher, TV presenter, writer and personality. He co-owns the Tannery Restaurant and Townhouse in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford with his wife, Máire, which opened in 1997. In 2008, they opened the Tannery Cookery School.

@paulflynnchef has been a regular on Irish and international television with numerous successful shows, including Lords and Ladles and Paul Flynn’s Food Truck Favourites. Paul has also been the cookery writer for the Irish Times on two occasions: from 2000 to 2004 and from 2019 to 2022. He continues to write occasional pieces for publication. He has written several cookbooks, his latest, Butter Boy, was published by Nine Bean Rows Books in September 2023.

When Paul isn’t in the kitchen or at a music festival, he’s probably hopping on a plane for a new adventure. Who knows, he may even write more about his travels someday. He lives in Dungarvan with wife Máire and two daughters, Ruth and Anna.

@properfood_ie @paulacooks

[NEW MEMBER] Jess Murphy (@kai_galway) is an award

[NEW MEMBER] Jess Murphy (@kai_galway) is an award-winning chef and co-owner of Kai Restaurant located in the heart of Galway City.

Coming from Wairoa, New Zealand, Jess moved to Ireland in 2003, and has since made Galway her home. After opening up Kai Restaurant in 2011 with her husband Dave Murphy, this extraordinary husband-wife team has continuously nourished the souls (and bellies) of all who pass through the doors of their restaurant on 22 Sea Road. With a clear emphasis on community, Jess has made it her mission to provide sustenance through food and friendship.

With the only Michelin Green Star in Ireland, Kai is celebrated for their environmentally-focused menu, working closely with over 100 local producers and farmers ensuring your plate is full of honest local ingredients.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the add

It is with great pleasure that we announce the addition of seven new members to the Irish Food Writers’ Guild for 2024. Membership is by invitation only to established food writers with an acknowledged and substantial corpus of work. The Guild currently has 76 members.

The new Guild members are Jess Murphy chef and writer; Paul Flynn chef, writer and TV presenter; Sharon Noonan host of Ireland’s longest running food and drink podcast “The Best Possible Taste”; Ciara McQuillan contributing editor and writer for Gloss magazine; Mick O’Connell, master of wine and wine writer; Oisin Davis spirits columnist and author; food and drink writer Shamim de Brun.

The Irish Food Writers’ Guild was formed in 1990 to promote high professional standards of knowledge and practice among writers about food, nutrition, food history and related matters and to assist in the formulation of links and networks amongst all involved in the food industry.

Over the last 12 months, the Guild has been able to focus on a blend of in-person and online events, enabling members to meet face to face as well as being inclusive of those who are not in a position to travel to meetings. As well as an inspiring on line CPD event featuring presentations from Guild members Patrick Hanlon and Kirsten Jensen, we had our in person annual summer outing to Wexford. Our annual awards in Suesey Street restaurant in February was the best attended in the Guild’s history.

As we continue to learn with – and from – our peers, colleagues and friends in this community of writers, we are delighted to welcome @shamwisegamgeee, @oisindavis, @ciaramcquillan, @paulflynnchef, @mickoconnellmw, @sharonjnoonan and @kai_galway who we believe will join with us in our ambition to support excellence and integrity in food writing.

Paula McIntyre
Chair, IFWG

@paulacooks @properfood_ie

Today marks the second annual Irish Raw Milk Chees

Today marks the second annual Irish Raw Milk Cheese Week, which will take place from today through June 29 🧀

This week-long campaign is all about promoting and celebrating Irish raw milk cheese, and will feature promotional events at select retail stores, restaurants and farmers markets across the country. The goal is to showcase the work of nine Irish raw milk cheesemakers who collectively produce 30 unique and delicious types of Irish raw milk cheese.

Cheeses made from Raw pure Irish milk are the pinnacle of Irish artisan foods, representing ancient craft and connection with place. The quality and standard of Irish raw milk cheeses was demonstrated at the recent bi-annual Irish cheese awards where this relatively small group collected six gold medals, including supreme champion Templegall by Hegarty’s Farm.

This is an excellent opportunity for cheese enthusiasts to explore the world of Irish raw milk cheese, learn about artisanal cheesemaking techniques, and taste some unique, small-batch cheeses. Whether you’re a seasoned cheese connoisseur or just starting to appreciate the art of cheesemaking, this week is not to be missed.

To find out where you can purchase some of the wonderful Irish raw milk cheeses visit www.irishcheese.ie/rawmilkcheeseweek where you will also find a list of tasting events. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn, taste, and support the artisanal cheesemaking industry in Ireland.

Participating cheesemakers include @coolattin_cheddar, @corleggycheeses, @hegartycheese, @st.tolaqueen, @knockanorefarmhousecheese, @leitrimhillcreamery, @wheresthatjoebuck, @thelostvalleydairy, @hollywoodfarmhousecheese, and @bellinghamblue 🧀

@caisireland @slowfoodireland #irishrawmilkcheeseweek #irishrawmilkcheese #irishfood

The @foodwritersguild would like to thank outgoing

The @foodwritersguild would like to thank outgoing Chair @bibliocook for her tireless work over the last 7 years and particularly for her steadfast leadership through the Covid years. Her impact on the Guild will be felt for many years to come.

The Guild is welcoming incoming chair @paulacooks and looks forward to her tenure. Paula McIntyre is known for her writing, she has written books and is often found in the national press, as well as her appearances on various national and international broadcasting channels.

#irishfoodwriters #irishfood #irishfoodwritersguild

Just a short selection of the extensive media cove

Just a short selection of the extensive media coverage of our Irish Food Writers’ Guild Awards — so great to see the focus on fine Irish food and drinks! 🇮🇪☘️🍰

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #FoodProducers #Farmers #FoodActivitsts #IFWGFoodAwards2024

by @PaulSherPhoto1

Product spotlight: A round-up of the much-deserved

Product spotlight: A round-up of the much-deserved winners of this week’s 2024 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Awards, including vermouth from Kerry 🍸, oysters from Louth 🦪, chicken from Wexford 🍗, pastry from Meath 🥐 and beef from Sligo 🥩.

How lucky are we to live in such a cornucopia of good food?! ☘️

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #FoodProducers #Farmers #FoodActivitsts #IFWGFoodAwards2024 #Vermouth #Chicken #Organic #Beef #Oysters #Shellfish #Pastry #Seafood

📸 by @PaulSherPhoto1

What a line up! 🌟 This year’s Irish Food Wr

What a line up! 🌟

This year’s Irish Food Writers’ Guild award winners, a veritable who’s-who of Ireland’s finest food producers, farmers, chefs, writers, organisers and activists ☘️🥬🌾

For the full list of the recipients and their incredible work, check out our link in bio 🔗

Pictured: (front centre) Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Peter and Mary Ward of @countrychoice along with the other category award winners: Kian & Mary Louët Feisser of @carlingfordoysters, Mary Regan and Helen Regan of @reganorganic , Mairead Finnegan and Olivia Finnegan of @rollit.pastry , Orla & Anna Snook O’Carroll of @valentiaislandvermouth , Conor Spacey of FoodSpace (@spacey_chef ) and Clive Bright of @rareruminare.

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #FoodProducers #Farmers #FoodActivitsts #IFWGFoodAwards2024

by @PaulSherPhoto1

We’re still on a high from the excitement at yes

We’re still on a high from the excitement at yesterday’s Irish Food Writers’ Guild awards, although it could still be these delicious Piper Heidseck bubbles floating around! 🥂

Lots of our guests were asking about the excellent wine pairing choices from @Liberty_Wines, so we’ve popped the details below — huge thanks to @piper_heidsieck , @Liberty_Wines and @teelingwhiskey for their generous support of the awards ✨🫶✨

🍾 Piper Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut NV
🍇 Pine Ridge Clarksburg Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2022, Napa Valley
🍷 Château Patache d’Aux Médoc Cru Bourgeois 2016, Bordeaux

📸 by @paulsherphoto1

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #LibertyWines #Wines #WinePairings #Champagne #PiperHeidsieck #NapaValley #Bordeaux #IFWGFoodAwards2024

And that’s a wrap on the Irish Food Writers’ G

And that’s a wrap on the Irish Food Writers’ Guild’s 31st Irish Food Awards! ✨

“Notwithstanding the challenges facing small food and drink businesses right now, we have a sector of which we can be extremely proud,” said IFWG chair Caroline Hennessy in an opening speech. “Today’s IFWG Food Awards are a celebration as we shine a light on exemplars of the country’s thriving, world-class artisan food and drink industry. But Ireland’s producers need support from government, from supermarket and restaurant buyers and from consumers who want to eat and drink exceptional and sustainably sourced Irish produce. 🌾

“From oysters to organic meats and chicken, traditionally made pastry and Ireland’s first and only vermouth, this year’s winning produce together with our chosen producers and innovators are the heart and soul of our domestic food industry and they deserve our support,” said Caroline.

Sponsored by Bord Bia, Una Fitzgibbon, Director of Marketing added: “As a connector of Irish food and drink products to the world, it is entirely fitting that Bord Bia continues to support the work of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild as it celebrates and honours the exceptional quality of Ireland’s artisan food industry. Congratulations to all eight winners and thank you for your contribution to the Irish food and drink industry, which sets an inspiring example to the wider industry”.

Huge thanks to our hosts, sponsors and general merrymakers, @SueseyStreet, @MattFullerChef, @JHJohn, @Liberty_Wines and of course @BordBia. We’re so glad to have supported, enjoyed and celebrated the best of Irish food together today 💚

For a full list of winners, plus award-inspired recipes from Suesey Street Head Chef, Matt Fuller, visit our website (link in bio) 🔗

📸by @PaulSherPhoto1

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #SueseyStreet #BordBia
#IFWGFoodAwards2024

The last Irish Food Writers’ Guild award of the

The last Irish Food Writers’ Guild award of the day — for Lifetime Achievement — goes to the inimitable Peter and Mary Ward of @CountryChoice. 🧀🥖🧄

Passionate champions of local food since they opened Country Choice in Nenagh in 1982, Peter is described by our judges as a “shopkeeper to his fingertips” who believes in supporting “the butcher, the baker and the artisan” today rather than bemoaning their loss tomorrow. We can add country grocers to that list of professions to be cherished. 🫶

For their long-held belief in, and support for, local indigenous Irish food, the Irish Food Writers’ Guild (and sponsor @BordBia) is pleased to award Peter and Mary Ward with a Lifetime Achievement Award — pictured here with Guild president @IrelandGuide 🏆

#IFWGFoodAwards #IrishFood #Irish #IrishFoodWritersGuild #FoodGrocers #LocalFood #Grocers #CountryChoice #Nenagh #IFWGFoodAwards2024

📸 by @countrychoice & @properfood_ie

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The Irish Food Writers' Guild: A Voice for Better Eating. Read about our 2022 #IFWGFoodAwards & special e-zine at the link

Food Guild IRE @foodguild ·

17 Apr 2023

Congratulations! @LasTapasDeLola @blastabooks

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Green-Schools @greenschoolsire ·

17 Apr 2023

A big welcome to Food and Biodiversity Week 2023 from Darina Allen from @BallymaloeCS here: https://buff.ly/41dEn2J.

Head on over to our website to see our full lineup of online events and registration links for the week here: https://buff.ly/3in918I.

#FoodAndBio2023

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Russ Parsons @russ_parsons1 ·

17 Apr 2023

Just a reminder that I’ll be with the tramore @giyireland group tomorrow night at the Tramore library. Come on down!

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Kate Ryan - Flavour.ie @flavourie ·

4 Apr 2023

PICKLED DELI: "This is the bravest thing we’ve ever done!"

Owners of Pickled Deli in Macroom, Katy Walsh and Keely Buckley, chatted with me about the growing success of their business, which they opened almost two years ago in an old family shop...

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