Food news
ON COURSE
Organic seems to mean rather a lot to rather too few people, and a series of courses offered in Dublin by the Organic Centre of Rossinver in Co Leitrim is set to try and change this situation. The venue is Airfield House in Dundrum and the courses will run from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. "Gorgeous Garden Ideas" with Joanne Scott is on July 3rd, "The Magical Use of Herbs" is on October 9th and for the hunter-gathers among you, "Mushroom Hunting" with Louis Smith is on October 16th. Bookings and further information on 071-9854338 or visit www.TheOrganicCentre.ie.
Hugo Arnold
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
The first stand-alone Les Routiers guide to Ireland's best places to stay, eat and drink will hit the shelves in November, and in advance of its publication, a Les Routiers Ireland touring map is now available, free of charge, from tourist offices. Previously, Ireland and Britain were included in the one Les Routiers volume, but the 2005 editions will include an Ireland-only guide. Tourism marketing consultant Margaret Jeffares has acquired the franchise for Ireland and will unveil an online booking facility in the coming weeks at www.routiersireland.com. In the meantime reservations at any of the establishments featured on the map, or in the Les Routiers Guide 2004 (UK and Ireland) can be made on 1850-200690.
Marie-Claire Digby
CLEVER COOK
RealFoodatHome, the Dublin company that takes the drudge out of cooking by doing the shopping, menu planning and food preparation for you, is now available at O'Brien's off-licence in Donnybrook. The kits, prepared daily by a team of chefs, contain everything you need to serve up a two-course meal in under 20 minutes. Now you can pick up just the right wine at the same time as collecting your dinner. RealFoodatHome tasting sessions are running on Saturday afternoons from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the next few weeks at O'Brien's. www.RealFoodatHome.com.
Marie-Claire Digby