Darina Allen is an Irish chef, food writer, TV personality, and founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Schanagarry, County Cork, Ireland. In this week’s episode of A Taste of the Past, Darina explains the current state of Irish food and culture in our society today, bringing us back to the history of Irish culture from the beginning. Darina also talks about founding the Ballymaloe Cookery School, the only cookery school in the world located in the middle of its own 100-acre organic farm. As a result, the school is completely self-sufficient, and people can come for a simple afternoon cooking class, or a full course designed to take the amateur cook further in his or her studies. Hear about Darina’s book, Irish Traditional Cooking (published by Kyle Books), and how she hopes to reconnect us with the cooking skills that have been forgotten for generations. This program has been sponsored by Bonnie Plants.

“Its not just about economics, it’s about the whole quality life – an appreciation for the quality of life.” [16:50]

“We need to be able to cook, to sit down around the table again.” [23:10]

— Darina Allen on A Taste of the Past