Food for thought

RACHEL Allen has built a stellar career as a creative yet accessible cook. Her no-nonsense approach ensures she has a legion of loyal fans and her books always feature in the bestseller category.

Married to Isaac, the son of renowned cook Darina Allen, they have three children: Josh, 13, Lucca, 10 and Scarlett, four. Rachel, 41, is currently working on her next book, the title yet to be decided, and expects to start filming her latest cookery series for RTÉ in May.

The programme and new book are due out in September. It’s her ninth year working with the national broadcaster. “It has a lovely rhythm to it that seems to work quiet well — the programme comes out, I do the publicity for it in the autumn, and then there are Christmas interviews while I am working in the cookery school and it is around then I am working on the next programme.