Articles

Occasional visitors to London with an interest in food are always well advised to check out Darina’s latest recommendations before heading off. Her focused interest and specialist contacts are unique and, even when - as on her most recent trip - the main reason for being there is quite different, she will make a point of sussing out the scene. This time she was there to celebrate the life of a late friend in food, Skye Gyngell, whose fresh seasonal style – at her original Petersham Nurseries location and the current restaurant, the wonderful Spring at Somerset House - has long been a special favourite with the Guide. But Darina also has news to share about other exciting places, to help you plan your next London foray…
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Famed for her curiosity about good practice in food production and support for producers and establishments providing sustainable hospitality, who better than Darina Allen to shine a light on the exciting people and places she visited recently in the northerly half of Ireland...
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This month Darina Allen champions the indomitable Jess Murphy's much-anticipated book, The Kai Cookbook - and she shares some super recipes from this bold and creative chef.
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You can’t beat naturally ripened tomatoes for flavour and, although Darina has grown less tomatoes this year while awaiting the completion of a new greenhouse for next season, she still has more varieties ripening in a tunnel than most of would ever contemplate growing – and shares a few tips and recipes to get the best from them...
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If you're longing for a bit of peace and quiet, it's super difficult these days to find a place for a family holiday away from the madding crowd, yet with enough activities within reasonable driving distance to keep several generations occupied and amused...
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This month Darina celebrates things good, delicious and healthy, as experienced by participants and visitors alike at the recent Ballymaloe Festival of Food.
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Famed for her passion for natural food, sustainability and biodiversity, who better than Darina Allen to bring weeds to your table - as delicious superfoods.
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Famed for her passion for naturally nutritious food, who better than Darina Allen to weigh up the pros and cons of our free school meals...? And the verdict is not good...
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If you’ve ever wondered why the quality of Irish meat is renowned, Darina has the answers below - and a lot of it is down to the skill of our master butchers, who are very talented and dedicated craftsmen and women who give the work of equally outstanding farmers the respect they deserve and produce top quality meats for us all to enjoy. Interestingly, two exceptional butchers also feature this month, among the winners of the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards and it is inspiring to see the pride that these special people take in their craft...
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Darina Allen always keeps a close eye on food trends and new restaurants here and abroad, many of which involve her own past students. A recent visit to London was no exception - and, back down to basics at home, she’s sharing some of her favourite soup recipes too, to keep us all cheerful through cold late winter and early spring weather.
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