Danucci's artisan chocolates fit the bill at many levels - their packaging is gorgeous, they're handmade by a small Irish company and - most importantly - the chocolates themselves are extraordinary. Aside from looking unusual, with their little coloured etchings, they taste incredible. Fillings include raspberry ganache, milk gianduja and almond praline perhaps wrapped in Belgian couverture, single origin chocolate from Grenada or maybe Java. Good Taste may just have discovered chocolate nirvana. Available in many gourmet stores call 042 935 6729 for details or simply buy on line at www. danucci. com.

Vintage visuals THE current trend for retro styling means vintage is very much in vogue.

So why not treat your kitchen to a cool vintage food or wine print?

Good Taste loves the selection on easyart. ie unframed options.

Pictured here are L Voisin Cafes & Chocolats, 1935, by J Saunier, Euro44.95, and Les Vins des Grandes Caves, Euro25.95.

Log on to on www. easyart. ie, enter 'food' or 'drink' in the search box and check out the choices.

Offaly good IF you never got round to choosing a kitchen calendar for 2007, Good Taste knows where you can get a fab foodie one for free. Filled with stylish photography and information on local speciality foods from Co Offaly, the 'Offaly Delicious' calendar showcases this network of artisan food producers.

Each month features seasonal recipes alongside quirky and educational food facts and a comprehensive listing of foodie and sporting events. Call 057 932 2850 or email michelle@offalyleader. ie Knife swap SERIOUS cooks know that the most essential investment in any kitchen is the knives. Brands like Wusthof, Global and Henckel all produce the highest-quality kitchen knives, which can be bought in sets or individually.

Buying a set is more economical but you should be able to tackle most jobs with a core set of the following:

» 8-10in chef 's knife » paring knife » serrated knife A well-maintained knife should last you a lifetime so don't toss them into your utensil draw where they'll blunt against other implements. Choose a magnetic wall strip or a wooden block and always wash your knives by hand.

Global knives, pictured, from Debenhams.

Oat cuisine WEcould fill many pages with reasons why porridge is the ultimate heath food (helps lowers cholesterol, boost energy, boost your immune system, is folic acidrich for pregnant women etc) but if you're a dedicated fan of processed and packaged breakfast cereals it may take more than these claims to convince you to switch over in the mornings.

Porridge needn't be boring. I always add a handful of frozen summer berries to the pot when it's cooking and serve it with a splash of cold milk, a sprinkling of sugar and dusting of ground cinnamon.

The cinnamon gives it a delicious twist - try this just once and you should be hooked.

See www. odlums. ie and www. flahavans. com for more porridge information and ideas.