Known throughout Ireland and well beyond as the matriarch of Irish cuisine, Darina Allen is a powerhouse in the Irish food community. Since opening the first farm-to-table culinary education program at Ballymaloe Cookery School with her brother Rory O’Connell in 1983, Darina has gone on to publish more than twenty cookbooks and has presented nine seasons of the television show Simply Delicious (as well as other programs). Rather than take a retirement when she turned 75 two years ago, Darina decided to open a Farm School to teach students about sustainable food production and consumption.

On this week’s show, we speak with Darina about creating the holistic curriculum at the cookery school; how the typical Irish diet has changed since 1983; and her involvement in reinvigorating Irish farmer’s markets. We also discuss the dangers of ultra processed foods and their relationship to our growing health crisis, as well as how we might continue to influence people to eat healthier, environmentally safe foods. We are beyond thrilled to welcome the one and only Darina Allen to this week’s show.

Dyed Green is a project of Bog & Thunder, whose mission is to highlight the best of Irish food and culture, through food tours, events, and media.