FOOD FILE:Justin Llewellyn, son of Desmond Llewellyn who played Q in some of the James Bond movies, is an ambassador for Champagne Taittinger and he has collaborated with Neil Foster, executive chef at the Sheraton Fota Island Hotel, on a recession-busting marriage of the Champagne house's best vintages with smoked salmon and caviar, scallops, lobster and truffles, turbot and foie gras, and raspberries, wild strawberries and Tahitian vanilla.
The five-course tasting menu at the hotel’s The Cove restaurant (pictured), with a different Champagne, and in one case a Pinot Noir wine, accompanying each dish, reads like a Bacchanalian feast. And the cost? Not as much as you’d imagine, at €95 per person, including aperitifs – Taittinger, naturally – the tasting menu with wines, and a commemorative plate. It’s taking place on Friday, August 21st; you can see the menu at www.sheratonfotaisland.com. Bookings, tel: 021-4673000. The hotel is offering a bb rate of €145 per room for the event.