1 Homegrown winners
Earlier this month, Maxol declared five Irish artisan producers – Blanco Niño, The Foods of Athenry, Parachute, All Real Nutrition and fiid – winners in its 2024 Homegrown at Maxol programme. The programme celebrates local producers in Ireland who continue to operate small businesses despite the prevailing economic challenges impacting the sector. Homegrown at Maxol provides winning producers with a free listing across their store network in the Republic of Ireland, as well as business mentorship, PR and marketing support.
maxol.ie
2 Follow the yellow brick road to Six By Nico
Dublin eatery Six by Nico is known for its interesting tasting menus, which are famously switched up every six weeks. Now, until mid-December, you can visit the Emerald City with their ‘Land of Oz’ dining experience (€55 per person). Inspired by Dorthy, the Wicked Witch and all the rest, the menu starts with “Nuggets of the Yellow Brick Road” (sweetcorn beignets, yellow courgette, Güero chilli) and ends with the “Emerald City” (apple cremeux, honey mousseline, yogurt sorbet, lemon gel). This is the perfect pre-cinema dinner if you are planning a night out to see the new Wicked adaptation on film.
sixbynico.ie
3 Perfect puddings from Foxford café
Head chef of Co Mayo’s Foxford café, Kathleen Flavin, has been making Christmas puddings for 20 years now. Recently, she shared some of her trade secrets, suggesting a long soaking time for the fruit (one to two weeks) and then adding grated carrot and apple to keep the pudding moist and flavoursome. For those living with coeliac disease, she has also developed a gluten-free version of her famous pudding, which is available to order from Foxford this holiday season. Foxford has two other puddings available for purchase, including the standard Christmas pudding and the mature Christmas pudding. All start at €16.95 and can be ordered online.
foxford.com
4 Braw releases new chocolate range
Limerick-based chocolatier, Braw, has released its new range of chocolate bars just in time for the festive season. Taking inspiration from its most popular bakery treats, it has created a selection of four new 100g bars made with Colombian milk chocolate from the ethically sourced and B-Corp certified brand Luker Chocolate. You can now enjoy spiced biscuit, Irish sea salt caramel, pistachio and orange, and pecan pie (€24 for set of four). They aren’t just delicious; they are little works of art, with the fully sustainable packaging adorned with the designs of Limerick artist Ellie Stone.
brawchocolate.com
5 The story of Tayto
The Irish food history buffs out there will want to take a look at the latest book from Bobbly Aherne: The Story of Tayto; The Original Irish Crisp (€16.99, Easons). Starting from its humble origins back in 1954 when Joe ‘Spud’ Murphy opened a small factory on O’Rahilly Parade in Dublin city, this is the definitive story of an Irish icon – Tayto crisps – and how it came to be not only the nation’s favourite crisps, but a part of our national culture. It is more than the history of the brand; it’s also a unique look at its evolution in a changing Ireland through the decades. For every book sold, Tayto will donate €1 to its charity partner, ALONE, the national organisation which provides advocacy, friendship and support for older people living independently.
alone.ie