Why not host a barbecue for friends in a private garden by the Liffey in Dublin? The Morrison hotel, on Ormond Quay, is offering the use of its courtyard, above, which has its own entrance via the hotel’s art gallery, along with awnings and heaters to keep you cosy. You and your guests can enjoy a cocktail reception before tucking into the grub. The price has been reduced from €36 per person to €32.50. On the menu are sticky pork ribs, ginger and rum striploin steak, chorizo and roasted chilli prawn skewers. For vegetarians there are veggie burgers, salsas and half-a-dozen types of salad. events@morrisonhotel.ie
Chew chew express
Arrive in style at this year’s Rockin’ Food Festival, in Co Wexford. A steam train leaves Dublin’s Connolly station for Enniscorthy on Sunday, August 6. The line-up at this year’s festival, from August 4-6, includes more than 80 artisan producers, with events such as pizza-making classes, a Mexican pop-up dinner with Lily Ramirez-Foran of Picado, and “Hoptails” (beer cocktails) with Claire Dalton of Dungarvon Brewing Company. There’s also breadmaking with Patrick Ryan of the Firehouse Bakery, and a Bean and Goose chocolate truffle workshop. facebook.com/rockinfoodfestival
Chan-do attitude
A spice bag doesn’t count as a guilty late-night pleasure if you make it yourself. ChanChan, the Irish company that makes spice bag seasoning mixes for your store cupboard, has added a new Korean hot-pepper version. You can use it as originally intended — as a flavouring for potatoes, chicken wings, ribs or pork belly — or the way many people do, which is as a mix to sprinkle liberally over all the fried food you can get your hands on. It costs €2.95 per tub of 50 servings from the Asia Market in Dublin, and SuperValu and Iceland stores nationwide. chanchansauce.com