Best Possible Taste with Sharon Noonan

In this episode, Sharon Noonan talks to trained futurist and founder of FutaVista Consultancy, Damien Heary. Futavista is a cutting-edge strategic futures consultancy, equipping businesses with the tools to navigate uncertainty, drive long-term innovation and thrive in any future. As a futures strategist, Damien helps brands future-proof and future-prime their business through foresight-driven str...

In this BPT episode, Sharon Noonan chats to Suzie Lee winner of BBC's Best Home Cook in 2020, host of the cookery series (Home Cook Hero and East Meets West) on BBC NI TV and author of three cookbooks. Suzie’s recipes are inspired by her Chinese heritage and NI upbringing in Lisburn. Best Possible Taste is Ireland's longest running food and drink podcast. For more episodes and information visit ww...

In this BPT episode Sharon Noonan talks to Ian O’Rourke, co-founder of RYSE, Europe’s first mainstream caffeinated chocolate bar. It’s a bold, energising innovation that’s turning heads in both the confectionery and functional food spaces. Ian’s journey from idea to shelf is packed with insight, creativity, and a serious dose of entrepreneurial spirit. Best Possible Taste is Ireland's longest runn...

In this episode we meet Ella Ryan the Development Manager for The Centre of Food Culture Ireland in the Boyne Valley—a hub that champions storytelling, sustainability, and the vibrant tapestry of Irish food traditions. Ella shares exciting insights into the work of the Centre and tells us more about the upcoming Samhain Festival of Food and Culture, taking place from the 6th to the 9th of November...

In this BPT episode, we celebrate 35 years of Dromod Boxty with Áine Faughnan. Based in Co. Leitrim, Áine has been a tireless ambassador bringing the humble boxty to tables across the country and beyond. Her dedication to preserving heritage while building a successful, family-run enterprise is truly inspiring. As Domod marks this milestone, we’ll hear about Áine’s journey, the evolution of her bu...

In this BPT episode, Charlotte Pike, award-winning food writer, teacher, and now author of The Soup Solution, chats with Sharon Noonan about her beautiful new cookbook that celebrates the comfort, versatility, and nourishment of soup. Based in England, Charlotte brings her culinary expertise and thoughtful approach to this timeless dish, offering recipes that are both practical and inspiring. With...

In this episode of Best Possible Taste, Sharon Noonan welcomes a dynamic mother-daughter duo whose love of food and family has found its way onto the pages of a beautiful new cookbook. Now You're Cooking! by Lily Mae aka Lils and Jolene Cox features 70 tried-and-tested recipes, including the clever tips and tricks they've learned over the years. In this cookbook, Jolene and Lils write directly for...

In this episode of the Best Possible Taste, Sharon Noonan chats with Mervyn Steenson, head chef at Groucho’s on the Square in Richhill, Co. Armagh. Mervyn shares the story behind the restaurant’s history, his passion for showcasing local produce, and the importance of being part of the Food Heartland Network. Best Possible Taste is Ireland's longest-running food and drink podcast. For more episode...

In this episode, Mairead Finnegan of RollIt Pastry shares her experience taking part in BrandBite, a dynamic initiative by the Art of Grate Food in collaboration with Blas na hÉireann, supported by Taste 4 Success Skillnet, designed to help Irish food producers refine and elevate their branding. Led by industry experts, BrandBite provides strategic guidance to help participants better communicate...

In this episode, Sharon Noonan talks to Lou Robbie, known to many as Little Lou Cooks on social media. Lou has built a loyal following thanks to her honest, practical, and delicious approach to home cooking. And now, she’s taken things to the next level with the release of her debut cookbook "Make & Freeze", which has already become a Sunday Times bestseller. Whether you’re batch cooking for a bus...

In this episode, we meet Eoin Lennon from Gather & Gather—someone who’s not only passionate about food but also deeply curious about the cultural shifts that ripple through the culinary world. Eoin penned a thought-provoking piece on one of the most talked-about moves in global fine dining: Daniel Humm, the celebrated chef behind New York’s Eleven Madison Park, has reintroduced meat to his menu af...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan chats to chef, educator and plant foods consultant James deBurca to find out more about "tempeh" and his business "DeBurca's Tempeh."Best Possible Taste is Ireland's longest-running food and drink podcast. Visit www.sharonnoonan.com for more details and episodes. Best Possible Taste is Ireland's longest running food and drink podcast. For more epi...

This special episode of Best Possible Taste was recorded live at Cork on a Fork. Host Sharon Noonan had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Fallon Moore from Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards. Now in its 18th year, Blas na hÉireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, celebrating the very best of Irish produce and the passionate people behind it. Fallon chats...

This Best Possible Taste episode was recorded LIVE at Cork on a Fork, a Cork City Council festival, on Saturday, 16 August 2025. Hosted by Sharon Noonan the theme of this panel discussion was “Cork’s Food Revolution: Innovators Shaping the Future."Sharon was joined on stage by:* Maria Broderick from The Good Fish Co* Julian Burns of Lullaby Milk* And Hanna Backmo from Hanna’s BeesBest Possible Tas...

This episode of Best Possible Taste was recorded at Taste of Dublin 2025 — one of the highlights of the Irish food calendar. Sharon Noonan had the pleasure of hosting lots of Food for Thought sessions on the Lovin Dublin stage, where she was joined by many inspiring guests, one of whom was Elaine Fitzsimons from the Matcha Bar. Elaine captivated the audience with her passion for matcha, her journe...

This Best Possible Taste guest brings a whole new meaning to 'fired up about food!'Paul Knapp, also known as the Firefighting Chef, is a recently retired professional firefighter with a lifelong passion for cooking. He chats to Sharon Noonan about his unique culinary journey and his plans in this new era. BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS IRELAND'S LONGEST-RUNNING FOOD & DRINK PODCAST.VISIT WWW.SHARONNOONAN....

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan chats to Tipperary's Sinéad Delahunty, a woman of many talents! Sinead is a food creator, a passionate advocate for simple, wholesome cooking, a Gaelic footballer, a qualified physiotherapist, a food educator, cookbook author and founder of the Little Deer - a makery where food, nature and all things creativity collide! THE BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS...

In this BPT episode, Sharon Noonan talks to John Shine, founder and owner of Shine's Seafood. John shares insights into the roots of the business, the challenges of sustainable fishing, and the steps that Shine's Seafood take to educate the public about seafood. BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS IRELAND'S LONGEST-RUNNING FOOD & DRINK PODCAST.VISIT WWW.SHARONNOONAN.COM FOR MORE INTERVIEWS AND DETAILS. Best Po...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan chats to Nina Massey, Marketing and Content Manager, at Taste of Dublin, one of Ireland’s most iconic culinary celebrations, which is celebrating 20 years this year. Since its early days in the Iveagh Gardens, Taste of Dublin has grown into a must-visit event for food lovers from across the country and beyond. Now firmly settled in the beautiful s...

In this BPT episode, we meet Kian Louët-Feisser, from the family-run Carlingford Oyster Company which was set up 50 years ago by Kian’s father Peter. Today, Kian is at the helm of the business where oysters are grown in Carlingford Lough’s Class A waters and sold to top chefs around the world. Best Possible Taste is Ireland’s longest-running food and drink podcast. Visit www.sharonnoonan.com for m...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan chats to Karoline Sweeney from the Castle Grove Country House Hotel in Letterkenny, County Donegal. This Blue Book, family-run Georgian property overlooks Lough Swilly and has been enchanting guests for many years. Best Possible Taste is Ireland’s longest-running food and drink podcast. Visit www.sharonnoonan.com for more details. Best Possible Ta...

In this episode of Best Possible Taste, Ireland’s longest-running food and drink podcast, Sharon Noonan talks to chef Paddy Lee, a fellow Northern Irish native with a fascinating culinary journey. The interview was recorded in the days following Paddy’s standout dinner in St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Dungarvan, part of the 2025 Waterford Festival of Food. Hosted by Sharon thanks to an invitation...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, we head to West Cork to meet Max Jones from Up There the Last. Max is the creative force behind a number of exciting food and cultural events, and in this interview we hear about his Anglo Italian upbringing, life in West Cork, and look ahead at some fantastic upcoming events he’s curating here in Ireland and in Italy. THE BEST POSSIBLE TASTE IS IRELAND'S LONGE...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan is joined by a true powerhouse in Ireland’s food scene—Eunice Power, chef, entrepreneur, and the dynamic CEO of the Waterford Festival of Food which takes place in the picturesque harbour town of Dungarvan and its environs from the 25th to the 27th of April 2025.In this interview, Eunice provides a tantalising preview of what’s in store—from mouth...

In this Best Possible Taste episode, Sharon Noonan talks to Kate Barlow from Positive Carbon, a cutting-edge tech company making waves in the hospitality industry. Despite being a relatively new player, Positive Carbon is already helping businesses tackle one of the sector’s biggest challenges—food waste. Their technology provides real-time data to help restaurants, hotels, and catering companies...