This week, I have been busy organising an annual event for our cycling club that we fondly refer to as Meals on Wheels. Quite simply, we cycle between three secret locations, enjoying a course in each place. It is always a very sociable evening – there has even been a wedding and a baby after two people met on the very first spin a few years back – though I have to admit it’s more about eating than exercise.

This year, I’ve tried to choose new restaurants to keep it interesting for the participants and also to give business owners an opportunity to impress customers who might not necessarily have ventured through their doors before.

I suspect it’s not especially lucrative for any of the restaurants that take part, but they recognise that it’s a good promotional opportunity on an otherwise quiet night of the week and, more importantly, a chance to win repeat business down the line. We are always made feel welcome and that our custom is valued – even if it’s just popping in for a quick bowl of soup before cycling into the sunset.

A few weeks ago, however, I was part of a group of 20-plus people attending a celebration dinner where the experience was completely the opposite. We were hardly in our seats when we were told that we had to be gone at a certain time to make room for the next round of customers, and the owner took our orders like a cranky school teacher calling the roll. The food was fine, but the whole experience left a sour taste in my mouth. I won’t be back.

Worryingly, it’s not the only lacklustre dining experience I’ve had recently. In one café, a simple request for brown bread was treated as if we had asked for caviar, and the service in one highly rated restaurant was so painfully – and unapologetically – slow that I think I actually grew a few grey hairs between main course and dessert.

I’m far from a fussy customer; give me a bag of chips with a smile, and I’m happy. But business owners have to appreciate customers who choose to spend their hard-earned money in their establishments. The vast majority do, of course, but I just hope that these recent experiences don’t signal a return to the Celtic Tiger mentality where the quick buck came before customer care. Because we all know where that got us.

Of course, customer care is the top priority of our cover star this week, Goretti Brady, the Roscommon powerhouse who is the managing director of Lloyds Pharmacy, while a strong relationship between producer and customer is also at the heart of Community Supported Agriculture.

Elsewhere, we have top beauty tips with Dolly Buckley, a makeover in association with Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, a debs fashion special and, given the week that’s in it, expert advice for families with a child starting school for the first time, as well as all your favourites.

And before I finish, Irish Country Living is happy to announce that the lucky winner of an iPad in the Truly Irish butter competition is Patricia Jude Finnegan, Oldcastle, Co Meath. Congratulations Patricia.

Have a wonderful week ... I’m off on my bike.