Melanie May – Food and wine writer based in Dublin, Ireland.

I am a gastronome – a lover of good food and wine.

I’m Melanie, a professional food and wine writer with over a decade of experience covering all things culinary. As a dedicated gastronome, I bring readers into the world of food and drink with engaging restaurant reviews, recipes, cooking, in-depth profiles, feature articles, tasting notes, interviews, and industry insights.

With my appreciation for quality and authenticity, I’ve served on tasting and judging panels, including The Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards, The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, The Big Grill Festival’s Pit Masters BBQ Competition, and The Travel Media Awards.

When it comes to drinks, I cover everything from cider-making to coffee festivals, craft beers, and cold brews. But wine is my specialism, blending both enthusiasm and expertise. I hold a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits and a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. My wine knowledge comes from the glass (I’ve tasted a lot) and the class (I’ve studied a lot). I love sharing the stories behind my favourite wines and bringing those tales to life in my own words.

Hungry for more?

Below is a selection of my food and wine writing.

Food and wine writer Bottle and glass of red wine

Atlas – Etihad Airways in-flight magazine

A Whole Lot of Dublin

The Irish Times

Love Spicy, Sizzling Prawns? Here’s how to Make Them at Home

Irish Times Content Studio

Ireland’s hospitality experts share their favourite drinks to enjoy at Christmas

Want to avoid the wonky first pancake? Here’s how

Good Food Ireland

8 Great Irish Pubs for a Christmas Reunion

10 Fabulous Festive Gifts From Good Food Ireland

Sugar Rush – A New Wave of Irish Pastry Chefs

The Story of Joe’s Farm Crisps

Vitamin Bee – The Health Benefits of Raw Irish Honey

The History and Success of Milleen’s Irish Cheese

Wild and Free: The Revival of Foraging in Ireland

Cocoa Loco: The Exciting New Generation of Irish Chocolate Makers

Some of the Best Food Trucks around Ireland

Waxing Lyrical About Mayo’s Laden Larder

Aw Shucks! Fall in Love with Achill Oysters

Take a Bite out of Mayo for a Real Taste of the West

Keeping it Local with Kelly’s of Newport

A Warm Welcome Awaits in Westport’s An Port Mór

The Taste

Craft Beer Industry Report

I Love Cooking

The All-Irish Food and Drink Christmas Gift Guide 2021

All Taste No Waste – Cream of the Crop Gelato

5 Minutes with Christina Leopold of Addicted to Dates

Cat L Walsh From Cakes to Coaching

Randy Lewis’ Culinary Road Trip Across Ireland

5 Minutes with Tara Gartlan

5 Minutes with Chef Shane Smith

A Beginner’s Guide to Pickling

5 Minutes with Daniel Lambert

5 Minutes with Noel McMeel

Baking From The Heart – Recipes With Love

Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards 2021 Winners

10 Great Irish Coffee Roasters 2021

Bringing simple, wholesome meals to your doorstep: Interview with Eoin Sheehan of Country Munch

6 Exquisite Irish Chocolatiers and Chocolate Makers

Batch Cookies

Top Online Cookery Classes

5 Minutes with Chef Kwanghi Chan

Fall in Love with Grá Chocolates

Cook up a Feast with Ciara’s Kitchen

Finch & Berry – A Recipe for Success

Morrissey’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Doonbeg

Butler’s Organic Eggs – A Cracking Family Business in Carlow

Irish Food Businesses Adapting

Tips to Reduce Germs and Bacteria in Your Home

The Benefits of Bone Broth

5 Minutes with Oisin Davis

10 Valentine’s Gifts for Food Lovers

Top 24 Best Gifts for Foodies 2020

Ireland Food and Drink Festival Guide – March 2020

Ireland’s Food & Drink Festival Guide February 2020

Christmas Gift Guide for Food Lovers – Over €100

Christmas Gift Guide for Food Lovers – Under €100

Cookbook Gift Guide Christmas 2019

Christmas Gift Guide for Food Lovers – Under €50

Ireland’s Food & Drink Guide November 2019

Ireland’s Food & Drink Guide October 2019

Focus Friday – James Coffey and Bean Delivered

September 2019 Ireland’s Food & Drink Festival Guide

Ireland’s Food & Drink Festival Guide August 2019

Ireland’s Food & Drink Festival Guide July 2019

Sharon Hearne-Smith – Cooking with Essential Oils

Food and wine writing for I Love Cooking continued

All Together Now Festival

Review: The Address at Dublin 1

Review: Delaicious: A Full Plate for a Full Life

Whiskey Island

Brian McDermott’s Donegal Table

15 Eggcellent Easter Events Around Ireland 2018

10 St. Patrick’s Day Events Across Ireland

25 Cracking Cookery Schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland 

Into the Foodture

Food Festival Guide 2018

Christmas Markets Home and Abroad

Food Festival Guide 2017

Review: Marqette Dublin Airport

Review: Robyn’s Nest Cookery School

Get Moreish at Maxol

Irish Christmas Markets 2015

Review: The Gibson Hotel’s New Menu

Rachel Allen Gets Hot and Spicy for O’Brien’s

Albarino Food & Wine Trail with Melanie May

Denny Fire and Smoke

Food and wine writer Melanie May photoed with food writer, and her hero, Anthony Bourdain.

Food and wine writing for I Love Cooking continued

Review – Sophie’s Pizza

Keogh’s Perfect Picnic

Taste of Dublin 2015

Lamb: Tasty, Easy, Fun

Desktop Dining

SuperValu – Best Ever Beef

Gibson Hotel BBQ

Review: Yo! Sushi new Menu

Litfest 2015 Launch Night

Clodagh’s Irish Kitchen

Launch of Aldi’s Secret Chef

The Insider’s Guide to Eating in New York

Benefits of Coconut Oil

Cologne Christmas Markets

Whiskey Live Dublin

Dublin Coffee & Tea Festival

Something for the Weekend

Lidl Sol y Mar

Coffee Society

Review: Firehouse Bread School

If you need a food and wine writer, please contact me, and let’s see how we can collaborate.

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