THE personal and professional lives of John and Sally McKenna have come a long way since the dishwasher (John) and chef (Sally) of James McElroy's, Wicklow Street restaurant, The Carriage, first met. Fifteen years on, the pair have just completed The Bridgestone Dublin Food Guide, the latest in their hugely successful restaurant guide range, and were toasting its success over breakfast prepared by Ben Gorman at the Mermaid Cafe in Dame Street. The "Fred and Ginger" of the Irish restaurant scene are currently planning "the perfect foodie's holiday - a tour of Ireland without writing about it", followed by more TV work and cookery books.

Meanwhile, Renaissance Man Bill Hughes - his latest incarnation being presenter of Radio Ireland's classical music slot at dawn - revealed yet another string to his bow; he was the chef from whom Sally took over in The Carriage. Looking remarkably sprightly for a man who had both watched The Oscars live and left home at 4.45 a.m. to begin his working day, Bill barely blinked as he described his new schedule, from dawn patrol at Radio Ireland to a full day in his production company, Radius TV.

He was also bursting with enthusiasm about the Irish Hospice Foundation Ball which is coming up in the RDS's panelled library on April 25th. This will be the foundation's first major event under its new chairwoman Marie Donnelly, and if the £4,200 Larry Mullen paid for a hand written Seamus Heaney poem last year is anything to go by, the auction promises to be the hottest part of the evening. Dedicated followers of fashion please note: Louise Kennedy is hand painting a sunflower themed dress white Lainey Keogh is handing over a crocheted jacket which was selected by Hello! for its recent Irish fashion shoot.