Mike left the music business for a number of years to pursue a career in food at The Ballymaloe cookery school where he eventually worked as a teacher. Later he created the very successful food destination pub with his friend Pat Shortt at his bar Pat Shortt’s bar in Castlemartyr East Cork before returning to set up the highly acclaimed kitchen deli The Artisan Parlour in Ringsend. He recently wrote a memoir of life through food and music, called "Beautiful Affair: A Journey in Music, Food and Friendship"