Darina Allen: How to make traditional Irish recipes with a modern twist, like mammy buns

Graham Herterich, aka the Cupcake Bloke, learned to bake at home with his granny, mammy, aunts and neighbours, which Michael Kelly teaches people to grow their own nutritious vegetables, fruit and fresh herbs.

'If you went to a friend’s house as a kid and there were buns, you could be assured they were made by their mammy.'

A new name has just burst into the Irish cookbook scene. He is a larger-than-life character known to many as the Cupcake Bloke from his bakery in Dublin’s Rialto. I heard him speak for the first time recently at Food On The Edge and was enchanted by his enthusiasm for baking.

He charmed the audience of top chefs and food writers from around the world with stories of learning how to bake at home from his Granny Flynn, mammy, aunts and neighbours, all of whom love to bake and share.