Darina Allen is owner of Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, Co Cork, Ireland, which is situated on an organically run farm. She is a celebrated teacher, food writer, newspaper columnist for the Irish Examiner, author of nineteen cookbooks and television presenter.
Founder of the first Farmers Markets in Ireland, she is involved on an ongoing basis in helping set up new markets. Darina is currently chair of her local Farmers' Market in Midleton, Co. Cork.
Slow Food is a passion for her, and she is the councillor for Ireland in Slow Food Movement and President of East Cork Convivium of Slow Food. Through the East Cork Educational Fund, she runs a programme for local primary schools to help local children learn about food from garden to plate.
A member of Taste Council of Irish Food Board, Chair of Artisan Food Forum of Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Food Safety Consultative Council of Ireland, Trustee of Irish Organic Centre, Patron of Irish Seedsavers.
She received the Cooking Teacher of the Year Award from IACP 2005, an Honorary Degree from the University of Ulster in 2003, and was Winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year 2001.
