Get fruity
Mariella Kingsbury's experience as a ceramic artist has proved useful in her latest venture – creating very pretty edible bouquets using a variety of fresh fruit and chocolate dipped strawberries. She also creates edible centrepieces that are proving popular for wedding receptions, and strawberry and pineapple palm trees to dress party venues. Prices start at €25, and delivery (confined to the Dublin area at the moment), is from €5.95. See getfruity.ie.

1 + 1 = half price
If you need an excuse to indulge in a bag of chips and a battered fish, next Wednesday is National Fish and Chips Day and members of the Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association will be celebrating with a new equation: a one and one equals half price. Shops taking part are listed at itica.ie. In Cork, Gourmet Burger Bistro on Bridge Street is marking its fourth birthday on Monday, with half price main courses all day.

Good snacks
Veronica's Baked Organic Crisps, a new gluten-free snack, are really tasty and have 60 per cent less fat than standard crisps. But they're made in Slovakia. Veronica Kenneally, who was sales manager for a dairy company before setting up Veronica's Snacks, runs sales, marketing and distribution from her home town of Cork, but has so far been unable to find an Irish manufacturer. The crisps are available in health food shops, some branches of Dunnes and SuperValu, and Tesco from next month. See veronicassnacks.ie.

Ferment, ferment
The fermentation demonstration given by Sandor Katz was among the most popular events at the recent Ballymaloe Lit Fest and there will be another opportunity to learn more about it at The Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim, where Gaby Wieland is running a class on Home Preserving: Fermentation and Cultured Foods . The class is on October 21st, but early booking is recommended. Participants will be making kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchee and kefir. See organiccentre.ie

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