Ballymaloe cookery courses make tasty profit

The numbers of overseas visitors taking the Ballymaloe Cookery School’s 12-week course helps to spread a good news message of Irish food and dispel the myth of it being “a land of corned beef and cabbage”.

That’s according to director of the school Darina Allen after new accounts confirmed another bumper year. Accounts show the Ballymaloe business enjoyed tasty profits of over €140,000 last year.

Its accumulated profits increased by €140,609 from €2.43m to €2.57m in the 12 months to the end of August last.

The company’s cash reserves during the year increased from €682,350 to €780,109.

The school has been operating since 1983. The main driver of the success is the cookery course that costs entrants €11,395.

Running three times yearly, it can generate revenues of €2m per annum.

Ms Allen said yesterday there are people from 12 countries taking the course.

“The course helps spread the good story of Irish food and helps to dispel the myth we are a land of corned beef and cabbage,” she said, adding there was a waiting list for the course.

Along with the intensive course, the Cookery School offers a range of other courses including Fast and Fabulous Meals with Rachel Allen, and Autumn Foraging with Darina Allen.

Darina said yesterday: “There is a change in the air in the country, and everything is much more positive and we hope that manifests itself in more students here.

“I am really relieved that the economy is recovering and that there is a general air of optimism. Everyone is more hopeful.”

The school employs around 55 people and staff costs last year totalled €1.23m.