Family puts bread and butter on the menu at Ballymaloe

BALLYMALOE. Once upon a time the name conjured up tantalising thoughts of all things wholesome, food and family life included. Brown bread, relish, ice-cream, chocolates.

It was synonymous with the Allen family for whom homecooking was the recipe for unparalleled success.

A name bound to boost the chances of any serious student of cooking fortunate enough to be able to include Ballymaloe Cookery School on his or her CV.