Weekend Food with Darina Allen

WE HAD a terrific day last Saturday as the winners of the Slow Food Grandmothers Day Irish Examiner Competition — six grandchildren, four grannies and a couple of mums — arrived to enjoy their prize, a day at the Ballymaloe Cookery School and Gardens.

They had sent in their favourite recipes that Gran or Nana cooked. We had a lovely response and the usual challenge to choose the winners. We did well.

First we had a cookery demonstration where we shared a few simple recipes and examples of deep pan soda bread pizza with tomato, chorizo and bubbly cheese. Then everyone donned their aprons and went into the kitchen where grannies taught their precious little grandchildren how to cook their favourite recipe — passing on the skills from one generation to the other in the time-honoured way and nurturing the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren.