Artisan Forum - Members
Darina Allen
Darina Allen owns and runs the internationally renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School at Shanagarry, Co. Cork and has a Dip. Hotel and Catering Management, Dublin Institute of Technology College at Cathal Brugha Street , Dublin. She established Ballymaloe Cookery School in 1983. She is a member of Eurotoques (European Association of Chefs), Guild of Foodwriters in UK and Ireland, International SLOW Movement (Member and Judge) Bread Bakers Guild of America, IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals - Darina is a Certified Culinary Professional and Teacher and the school is accredited by IACP).
Myrtle Allen
Myrtle came to Shanagarry as a young woman to marry a fruit grower named Ivan Allen. She virtually taught herself to cook with his wonderful fruits and produce of the district. Later they moved into a big house on a large mixed farm where she raised her family and started to write a "farmers wife" cookery column for a farming paper. Next she opened her house as a restaurant and guest house, winning many awards for food. She has always had an interest in organisations promoting good food and good farming. She started a group for rural women, also for country children in the 1950's. Also in the 1950's she became National Vice-President to Irish Young Farmers Clubs (first woman to do so). She founded Euro-Toques Ireland (the European Community of Cooks) in 1987 and became International President from 1994 until 1996. She ran a very popular restaurant in paris from 1981 until 1984 called "La Ferme Irlandaise". She founded a consumers group in Cork called "Free Choice" which supports and promotes artisan producers in the County of Cork. She still lives in Ballymaloe House and works in a supervisory capacity.
Sally Barnes
Sally Barnes started smoking fish in a tea chest in 1978. She acquired a smoking kiln in 1981 and she taught herself to use this. After experimenting with this system for some years, she developed her current workshop. At this time, she became a member of Union Hall Fisherman's Co-operative. She attended an ANCO 'Start your own Business' course in Cork during the 1980's. In 1991/2, she took Open University courses in 'Food Production Systems', and in 'Oceanography', and holds certificates in these subjects. In the late 1990's, she studied and attained a Diploma in Social Studies through UCC. She has been a member of Slowfood for 9 years, and helped put Irish Smoked Wild Atlantic Salmon into Slowfood's Presidio. Woodcock Smokery Kippers were awarded the Ballygowan/Irish Food writers award in 2001, and won several awards from the Great Taste Awards over the past 4 years, for their smoked salmon, kippers, and smoked haddock. At present, the workforce comprises herself and her daughter fulltime, plus up to 4 others at peak times of production. She has lectured regularly in Italy through Slowfood's Salone del Gusto,and through Slowfish in Genoa last year, and has spoken in schools in Ireland about food in general. She is a Scot by birth, and studied for a B.Ed. in London when she left school. She has been living in Ireland since then (for 30 years now). She has been active in the Farmer's Markets in Ireland in the past. She markets produce throughout the EU, in Japan, and in the USA.
Esther Barron
Esther completed her secondary education in The Sacred Heart of Mary,Ferrybank, Waterford. She then went on to study Home Economics in Business in Beaufort House,Rathfarnham, Dublin. Esther returned to her family business, which consisted of a bakery with a retail outlet. After inheriting it from her father, she developed a confectionary business and later added the Coffee House. Their bakery is one of the oldest in the country, and they are one of the last to use the traditional Scotch Brick oven. These ovens give the bread a unique taste flavour and crust. Presently, she is President of the Flour Confectioners and Institute of Bakers Association (F.C.I.B.A.)
John Brennan
Jim Buckley
Jim Buckley is Chief Veterinary Officer, Cork County Council and a founder Member of Cork Zoonoses Committee. Jim is President of Veterinary Ireland Public Health Committee and Executive President of the Local Authority Veterinary Officers Association. He is Hon. Associate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UCD. Jim is a founder member of the FSAI Artisan Food Forum.
Mary Burns
Mary Burns is Managing Director of Ardrahan Dairy Products Ltd. Based at Ardrahan in Kanturk, Mary, together with her late husband Eugene, started making Ardrahan Farmhouse Cheese in 1983. Last year the company launched Ardrahan Lullaby milk. Mary Burns sits on the Board of North Cork Creameries in Kanturk and represents Cais on the Artisan Forum.
Martina Clarke
Martina Clarke was appointed Development Executive of IASC, The Irish Association of Seafood Companies in 2002. IASC develops, promotes and represents the interests of independent seafood processors and retailers in Ireland. It is a fast growing united voice for independents, already with a membership in excess of 90 companies, most of which are small to medium sized family-owned businesses.
Paul Fletcher
Jeffa Gill
Cheesemaker of 25 years, producing Raw Milk Durrus cheese since 1979. His cheeses created its own specialist markets and is now widely sold and exported. Since the early 90s, all milk has been bought in for the production, and they use 2 designated suppliers. The dairy employs 4 full time and 2 part timepeople. Rural sustainability and top quality cheese production have always been at the essence of our work here in Durrus. We are proud of being one of the founding members of the artisan cheese revival in Ireland.
Frank Hederman
Dave Lang (alternate Liam Handy)
Dave Lang joined ACBI as Project and Development Officer in October 2007.
A native of Dublin, Dave has worked in the meat trade for over 30 years. He has worked in every sector of the trade including slaughtering, retail, wholesale, production and supermarkets and in promotions and training.
Previously active in training of young butchers as a lecturer to meat trainees in DIT he now has a key role in delivering the National Certificate in Butchering Skills (FETAC) as part of the ACBI apprenticeship project. Dave is also directly involved in business support and development inititaives as part of the ACBI Retail Development programme.
He believes that a marriage of modern retailing techniques with traditional strengths such as Quality of Product, Butchering Skills, Customer Service and Local Knowledge are the cornerstones of a revival of customer support for the Craft Butcher.
David Llewellyn
Raymond O'Rourke
Raymond O'Rourke represents the Taste Council on the forum.
Caroline Robinson
Declan Ryan
Proprietor Arbutus Breads.
Declan was educated at C.B.C. Cork and studied hotel management Hendon College of Technology London. Assistant Manager Hotel Russell London. Stagaire Russell Hotel Dublin, Avis Restaurant Lisbon, Les Freres Troisgros Roanne France. Manager Arbutus Lodge Hotel Cork 1964/1979 1982/1999 Manager Cashel Palace Hotel 1980/1981 Michelin star Cork 1974/1984 Cashel 1980/1981 First Commisioner for Ireland Eurotoques. Trained Ecole Francaise de Boulangerie d’Aurillac 2000 Elected to La Confrerie De La Boulangerie Du Cantal 2000 Member Bread Bakers Guild of America Elected Associate member Richmont Club of Ireland 2002 Eurotoques Award for Artisan Bread 2002.
Michael Woulfe (alternate Michael Gleeson)
Michael is a retired Irish Rail Depot Manager has been a beekeeper since 1960. He currently operates 80 beehives and is treasurer of East Cork Beekeepers Association. He was President of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Association 1982-1984 and appointed Life Vice President in 1990. Michael has been a first prize winner on numerous occasions at Local and National honey shows, including first place at London Honey Show, 1994 and second prize in the 24 jar class (open to the world) 2003. A course convener for the FIBKA annual summer course held at Franciscan College, Gormanstown, Michael has passed all FIBKA examinations - Preliminary, Intermediate, Senior and Lecturer and has a National Certificate in Science from Apriculture Regional Technical College Cork, July 1995. He instructs groups of beekeepers at association level during the winter months and visits schools to talk to students on the subject of beekeeping and related subjectson request.
Last reviewed: 24/4/2009