Darina Allen: Garlic jam and Avoca multi-seed bread

WE’RE all still on a high from the Litfest. Apart from all the antics and stimulating talks, forums and panel discussions in the Grain Store and Big Shed, there was also a packed schedule at the Ballymaloe Cookery School with three and sometimes four events running simultaneously. This week I want to share some of my personal highlights.

However, I had exactly had the same frustrations this year as before. Having invited many more of my food heroes to Ballymaloe, I simply couldn’t get to many of the concurrent events but did get fantastic feedback. Allegra McEvedy has a cult following for her wholesome and gutsy food and her irreverent style further endears her to her fans. She gave a cookery demonstration of some of her best-loved dishes. The response to her delicious food was overwhelmingly delightful.

Arun Kapil, told the fascinating story of Green Saffron and his book Fresh Spice in a packed Blue Dining Room. A little while later multi award winning, Kevin Thornton spoke to a rapt audience about his travels in Ethiopia – the photographs in his book all styled and taken by Kevin himself showed another hugely creative side of this enormously talented chef.