Darina Allen Ballymaloe House and Cookery School, Shanagarry, County Cork

Darina Allen, who has over 25 years of cooking experience, is executive chef and owner of Ballymaloe House and Cookery School in County Cork. She is a familiar face at the Festival of Food, officially opening the Farmers’ Market last year. 

Darina is also a food writer, newspaper columnist and cookbook author as well as television presenter. She graduated in Hotel Management from Dublin Institute of Technology and is a certified Culinary Professional and Teacher accredited by the International Association of Culinary Professionals.