Welcome to the Ballymaloe Cookery School
Welcome to the only cookery school in the world located in the middle of its own 100-acre organic farm...
When you step through the little wooden side gate and into the courtyard of Ballymaloe Cookery School you enter a different world. A world where the loudest sounds are the sounds of the countryside and maybe, if the windows are open, the quiet chatter and gentle clatter of people at work in a kitchen. A world where the whole emphasis is on food - growing it, preparing it, cooking it, eating it and, crucially, enjoying it. A world that feels wonderfully cut-off because it is in the middle of ten acres of organic market gardens, orchards and greenhouses which are, in turn, surrounded by a hundred acres of organic farm.
The fact that we are located on a farm is, by the way, no co-incidence. I believe that the best cooking comes from using the best ingredients. And what could be better than cooking with one's own organic vegetables, fruit, herbs, milk, butter, cheese, meat, honey and other produce?
What can we offer you in the way of courses? Our comprehensive 12-week Certificate Course is ideal for anyone with a passionate interest in food - and is particularly suitable if you are thinking of a culinary career; if you have less time choose one of our shorter courses covering a host of specialist areas and lasting anything from half a day to a week; or you could attend one of over 200 afternoon demonstrations spread throughout the year. You may also be interested to know that the school often plays host to well-known guest chefs, we have some beautifully appointed self-catering accommodation and our gardens are open to the public.
Teaching is my first love and it is part of our family ethos - my brother, Rory O Connell (formerly the award winning chef at Ballymaloe House) and my daughter-in-law, Rachel Allen work with me in the school. On behalf of them, and the forty or so others making up the school 'team', I do hope we will be welcoming you on one of our courses in the near future.
Darina Allen
Founder
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We are now offering tailor-made courses courses for groups. Please contact us to discuss your needs.