Darina Allen: Celebrating the joy of food with Rory O'Connell
Ginger, lemon and turmeric cake
, Rory O’Connell’s excellent third book was published by Gill Books at the beginning of October. My signed copy arrived in the post, beautifully wrapped with a limited-edition linen tea towel from Stable. That’s the gorgeous shop in Westbury Hall, off Dublin’s Grafton Street where I want to buy absolutely everything in the shop. The package also included several postcards of Rory’s line drawings that illustrate the pages of this enchanting book. All so beautifully chic and stylish.
I know what you’re thinking — 'well, She would say that wouldn’t she? After all, Rory is Darina’s brother who co-founded the Ballymaloe Cookery School with her in 1983'. True, but many of you who have been watching the accompanying series, on RTÉ, will have realised that Rory is an exceptional talent: a curious chef with his own unique style, who not only loves to cook but also loves to share his knowledge, making him a much-loved teacher here at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in East Cork.
