Melanie May, Food and Wine Writer
I am a gastronome—a lover of good food and wine.
I’ve been a professional food and wine writer for over a decade and cover all food and drink-related topics, including restaurant reviews, recipes and cooking, profiles, feature articles, tasting notes, interviews, and industry reports.
My appreciation for good food and honesty have seen me sit on tasting and judging panels for The Guild of Fine Food Great Taste Awards, The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards and The Big Grill Festival Pit Masters BBQ competition.
Regarding the drinks industry, I’ve covered everything from coffee festivals to cider making, craft beers, to cold brew. However, writing about wine is one of my favourite topics. My wine knowledge stems from the glass – I’ve drunk a lot – and the class – I’ve studied a lot. I hold a WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits and a Level 3 Award in Wines. My favourite wines tell a good story, and I love retelling those tales in my own words.
Hungry for more?
Here is a selection of my food and wine writing from around the web.
The Irish Times
Love Spicy, Sizzling Prawns? Here’s how to Make Them at Home
Good Food Ireland
What Foods do we use to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Ireland
The Butcher’s Christmas in 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
10 Fabulous Food Tours in Ireland
Vitamin Bee – The Health Benefits of Raw Irish Honey
Our 6 Best Ice Creams in Ireland – The Inside Scoop
Kylemore Abbey, A Great Love Story
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
DASH Container Coffee
Overnight Oats Recipe – the Breakfast of Champions
How to Make the Perfect Festive Hot Chocolate at Home
The Taste
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 Chef Shane Smith
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
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
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
Ireland’s Food & Drink Festival Guide September 2019
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
Review: The Address at Dublin 1
Review: Delaicious: A Full Plate for a Full Life
Brain 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
Christmas Markets Home and Abroad
Review: Marqette Dublin Airport
Review: Robyn’s Nest Cookery School
Review: The Gibson Hotel New Menu
Rachel Allen Gets Hot and Spicy for O’Brien’s
Albarino Food & Wine Trail with Melanie May
Food and Wine Writing for I Love Cooking Continued
The Insider’s Guide to Eating in New York
Irish Craft Beer, Cider & Whiskey Festival
Review: Firehouse Bread School