Cooking Teacher Of The Year

Many people in Ireland first met Darina Allen on television. She presented nine series of Simply Delicious^[1]. The shows were plain, friendly and full of good food, and they were shown around the world^[2].

The books followed the shows. The Simply Delicious titles became a best-selling series of their own^[3]. Many Irish kitchens still have a well-thumbed copy on the shelf.

A Businesswoman, Too

Running a school on a farm is not only about recipes. It is also a business, with staff, students and bills to pay. In 2001 Darina was named Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year^[2].

Then came the award that meant the most to a teacher. In 2005 the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the IACP, named her Cooking Teacher of the Year^[1][3].

It was a big honour from an international body. It also fitted her perfectly. She has always described herself as a teacher first, whose main passion is passing on her knowledge^[1].

The prize came from an international body, and it said something simple. The way of teaching that started in a small kitchen in Shanagarry could stand next to the best in the world^[1][3].

More Prizes On The Shelf

A year later, the IACP gave her book Easy Entertaining one of its awards for chefs and restaurants^[1]. Her name was now known far beyond Cork.

The San Francisco Chronicle once called her the Julia Child of Ireland^[1]. It is easy to see why. Like Julia Child, she brought confident home cooking to a whole nation through the screen and the page.

The awards did not change her daily routine. She kept teaching at Ballymaloe, kept writing and kept talking about good, local food to anyone who would listen^[1][2].