News

Leon plans on course

The UK-headquartered fast-food chain Leon has no plans to curb its expansion in Ireland, despite the threat of an economic slowdown due to the coronavirus.

The company, which has two outlets in Dublin, plans to open 20 restaurants here by 2023.

Stuart Fitzgerald, managing director of Leon Ireland, said he doesn't expect any major change to that strategy.

"The Covid-19 crisis may extend the business plan out by six to 12 months, but I don't see a fundamental change.

"I think given our price point and given that we are a convenient and health offering there will be as much, if not more demand for it once the crisis is over," he said.

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60% cut in rail services

New public transport timetables have taken effect, with Irish Rail operating a 60% reduction in service.

Bus operators are to follow suit on Wednesday, while there has been a drop in passenger numbers by around 80%, since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. traininterior0320

The NTA say it is confident social distancing will be possible with reduced services and passengers.

CEO Anne Graham says she expects the number of people using public transport to reduce even more.

August date for Taste Fest

The 15th annual Taste of Dublin event is scheduled to take place from August 6 until August 9 in Dublin's Iveagh Gardens. tastedub0320

Taste of Dublin was originally scheduled to take place in June, but has been postponed to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will feature food from a variety of Dublin restaurants and established Irish chefs as well as a lineup of entertainment.

Taste of Dublin 2020 will also celebrate up and coming Irish culinary talent, and showcase Irish ingredients.

Lisa Jameson, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery General Manager, has been honoured as the World’s Best Distillery Visitor Centre Manager at the Icons of Whisky Awards. This was announced during the live streaming of The World Whiskies Awards where the Teeling Whiskey 30-Year-Old Single Malt was also honoured as the World’s Best Irish Single Malt.

The honour for Lisa Jameson follows on from a very successful 12 months for the Teeling Whiskey Distillery, which has continued to establish its world class reputation with a whole host of international honours over the last year. This included Teeling Whiskey Distillery winning ‘Best Visit’ in Ireland at the CIE Awards in January, the Distillery winning a Gold Medal at the 2019 Distillery Awards run by the Spirits Magazine, The Award for Excellence at the 2019 Travel and Hospitality Awards, being nominated as Europe’s Leading Distillery Tour at the World Travel Awards as well as receiving for the 4th year in a row, a Certificate for Excellence from TripAdvisor.

Restaurants rally to 'Feed the Heroes'

A fundraising campaign to feed hospital and emergency workers in Ireland has raised more than €330,000 in just ten days. heroes0320

The 'Feed The Heroes' GoFundMe page was set up on 15 March.

Donations from the public are being used to pay restaurants and kitchens to deliver meals to frontline staff who are putting in extra hours during the coronavirus crisis.

The 'Feed The Heroes' GoFundMe page was set up earlier this month.

Founder Cian O Flaherty said: "It was a very small, bright idea to maybe reach €1,000 and drop some food into some of the heroes working in hospitals and on the frontline. But the people of Ireland had a completely different response.

"We have been inundated with over 7,500 donations, which has allowed us to deliver 4,500 meals to the frontline. The public's response has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life."

'Naomi's Kitchen', an events catering company in Glenageary, south Co Dublin, is one of the 300-plus food operators who have signed up to help.