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A 20-year mystery surrounding a famous Dublin cake has been solved thanks to a meeting between two granddaughters.

The Mary Cake was a staple of Bewley’s Cafe in Grafton Street since its introduction in 1956 by a Hungarian refugee – but the recipe was lost during extensive renovations two decades ago. The cakes are mini towers consisting of chocolate filling on top of a sponge base, all encased in chocolate and topped with a disc of marzipan.

Since the recipe was lost, numerous attempts have been made to recreate its taste from memory, but none succeeded until food detective Hazel Carmichael, granddaughter of Victor Bewley, traced Carolina Malagon on the internet.

Developers behind plans to build a hotel surrounding the Cobblestone bar in Smithfield, which were refused by Dublin City Council last year, have dropped their appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Marron Estates Ltd had applied to the council for a nine-storey, 114-bedroom hotel at 77-80 North King Street, which includes the Cobblestone. As a protected structure, the pub would have been retained as part of the proposed development, but an outdoor area and the pub’s Backroom venue would have been demolished.

The council last November refused permission on grounds largely relating to the size and impact on historic structures. The company appealed the decision to the board and earlier this year proposed a scaled back development of seven-storeys and “the retention of the entire Cobblestone pub over all floors at basement, ground and first and second floors” according to planning documents.

Catering group Aramark has been awarded the contract for providing meals for refugees from Ukraine.

Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman said the Government had to move quickly and added: "We have not be able to use the traditional procurement processes."

Minister O'Gorman said the Government was dealing with a crisis and ensuring every Ukrainian person who sought shelter would be receive it. He said if there had been long delays the Government would have been rightly criticised for the delay.

The West Waterford Festival of Food will return from 10 - 12 June with almost 100 events, both free and ticketed. Over 35,000 visitors are expected to attend the 13th annual festival, which will feature local chefs Paul Flynn of The Tannery and Greg Harris of 360 Cookhouse along with international guests Luis Martin, Head Chef at Mount Juliet's Hunter's Yard who previously worked in Jesús Sánchez's three-Michelin-star restaurant, Cenador de Amós; and renowned Mexican-Irish chef Lily Ramirez-Foran.

Highlights include the West Waterford Festival of Food Long Table Feast, sponsored by McCarthy Insurance Group (12 June). With views of Dungarvan Castle and Harbour on Castle Street, 100 diners will experience an al fresco feast prepared by Paul Flynn and Greg Harris. Renowned chef Tom Walsh will cook at the Walled Garden Dinner at Woodhouse Estate (11 June); and The Old Bank will see its Executive Head Chef David Larkin join Luis Martin for a seven-course tasting menu centred around the restaurant's farm produce, Al Eile (11 June). David will also create a five-course menu for opening night, paired with wines from drinks expert Gerry Gunnigan.