Allen inducted into Food Hall of Fame

The matriarch of Irish food, Myrtle Allen, was last night inducted into the inaugural Good Food Ireland Hall of Fame along with Redmond O’Donoghue and Web Summit Founder Paddy Cosgrave at an event in Herbert Park.

A lifetime dedicated to fine cuisine and local produce from her world-famous base in Ballymaloe in east Cork earned Ms Allen the prestigious recognition — something she described as a great honour.

Good Food Ireland chairman Mr O’Donoghue, meanwhile, said he was very proud to be in the company of his fellow inductees and was taken aback by the honour bestowed on him.

“I’m delighted, and when I learned of the other recipients, to be in that group is a great honour.

“Myrtle Allen is a legend in the food sector and Paddy [Cosgrave], although he’s very young, has become a legend because he’s created this incredible event with 22,000 people from 400 people four years ago. So to being in that group is a terrific honour. I’m very proud,” said Mr O’Donoghue.

The ceremony, hosted by RTÉ presenter Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, took place last night at the Food Summit wrap party in the presence of Taoiseach Enda Kenny and acclaimed UK chef and journalist, Rowley Leigh.

The Food Summit, part of the Web Summit which drew to a close last night, brought farmers, producers, chefs and food entrepreneurs face-to-face with more than 20,000 world leaders in technology, marketing and business.