Ballymaloe Cookery School facts for kids
Kitchen garden at Ballymaloe, County Cork
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| Established | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Focus | Cookery school |
| Owner | Allen family |
| Location |
Shanagarry, County Cork
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Ireland
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| Coordinates | 51°51′35″N 8°01′55″W / 51.8596°N 8.0320°W |
The Ballymaloe Cookery School (say it "ba-lee-ma-LOO") is a famous cooking school in Shanagarry, County Cork, Ireland. It opened in 1983. The school is run by Darina Allen, who is a well-known chef and author. She also helped start the slow food movement in Ireland. This school is special because it's on an organic farm. This means they grow their own food without harmful chemicals.
A Taste of History: How Ballymaloe Began
The story of Ballymaloe began with Myrtle Allen and her husband Ivan. They bought Ballymaloe House in 1948. In 1964, they turned it into a restaurant.
In 1968, Darina O'Connell joined them. She helped teach and cook there for several years. Myrtle Allen made history in 1975. She was the first Irish woman to earn a Michelin Star for her cooking. She kept this special award for five years.
Starting the Cookery School
Darina later married Tim Allen, Myrtle and Ivan's son. In 1983, Darina and her brother Rory O'Connell started the Ballymaloe Cookery School. It is located in a place called Kinoith, which is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Ballymaloe House.
Another famous chef, Rachel Allen, also has a connection to Ballymaloe. She studied at the school. She is married to Isaac Allen, who is Darina Allen's son. As of 2023, Darina Allen still owned most of the school.
