Food File: The weekly food news round-up

CUPS OF STYLE FROM CLEMENT & PEKOE

Now that our morning coffee is such a talking point – and if yours is anything less than a single estate, artisan roasted bean, go straight to the nearest hipster cafe – it wasn't going to be long before attention focused on the cup it's served in. Clement & Pekoe has launched a "neighbourhood artist cup project", and illustrator, engraver and jeweller designer Pierce Healy is the first artist to have his work printed on the shops's takeaway cups. Clement & Pekoe, 50 South William Street, Dublin 2.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PICK
Christina Knowles sent us this photograph of her son Matthew, with the question "Are these mushrooms growing in Howth dangerous?". We sent it off to mushroom expert Bill O'Dea, who had following to say: "The mushrooms pictured are Flyagarics (Amanita Muscaria). Technically toxic. They are psychoactive and will make you sick if eaten. It is probably the most famous mushroom in folklore." Best to know what you're picking before you eat it, then.

O’Dea runs tutored mushroom hunts in Ireland and abroad, and says he thinks we’re in for a bumper season. “The season has started early this year. I have been getting lots of good eaters (Ceps, parasols, chanterelles) since July.”

His first mushroom hunt of the season is at Killruddery, Co Wicklow on October 5th, and he’s also running a mushroom weekend in the Park Hotel, Kenmare on October 17th-19th. For details of these, see mushroomstuff.com.

Longueville House in Co Cork also runs tutored mushroom hunts with mycology expert Maria Cullen, and these take place on Sundays, September 21st and October 5th. See longuevillehouse.ie.

IRISH/KOREAN COUPLE TAKE LONDON BY STORM
Jordan Bourke's food styling work on cookery books for Ryland Peters & Small gets a showcase in the publication of a second volume featuring his name on the cover. It's an undoubtedly beautiful book, with stunning photography by Tara Fisher, but The Natural Food Kitchen is also full of globally-inspired recipes that aren't too taxing and make you want to cook them, immediately.

Bourke, who left Dún Laoghaire for London 10 years ago, is married to Korean-born fashion designer Rejina Pyo, who dressed restaurateur Thomasina Miers for this week's Red magazine Women of the Year awards. He trained at Ballymaloe and works in London as a private chef and food stylist and is developing a range of gourmet nut butters and oat biscuits. They're made using alternatives to refined cane sugar, dairy and wheat flour and are called Pure Delish. His almond and maple nut butter and garam masala oat biscuits won Great Taste awards this summer and he plans to have them in shops by the end of the year.

GROW IT, EAT IT
The Grow It Yourself Gathering springs up in Waterford city's Theatre Royal today and tomorrow, with talks on all aspects of growing and cooking great food.

It’s hosted by Ella McSweeney and speakers include Alys Fowler, Mark Diacono and Patrick Holden. Tonight, GIY will transform Blackfriars Church into a dining venue for a communal four-course dinner, of homegrown ingredients, of course. For tickets, call the ticketline on 051-302191.

ORGANIC FAIR
The second National Organic Food Fair, which promises to be the largest display of Irish organic food at a single venue, takes place at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham next Sunday, September 14th (10.30am to 4.30pm). Admission is free, and includes access to cookery demos by Clodagh McKenna at 12.30pm and 2pm. See nationalorganicfoodfair.com.