Darina Allen owns and runs the internationally renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School at Shanagarry, Co. Cork, established in 1983.

She has published several books including the SIMPLY DELICIOUS series, FESTIVE FOOD OF IRELAND, IRISH TRADITIONAL COOKING which won the Langhe Ceretto-SEI Prize in Italy, A YEAR AT BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL and DARINA ALLEN’S BALLYMALOE COOKERY COURSE which was short-listed for the Andre Simon Awards.

She writes regularly for newspapers and magazines including Sainsburys Magazine, Irish Times, BBC Good Food, and she has a regular column in The Irish Examiner.

Many of her books have been turned into television series. There were eight series of SIMPLY DELICIOUS on RTE from 1989 to 1996 all accompanied by cookbooks. A YEAR AT BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL was made into a 26 part series for Carlton Food Network in 1998 and most recently BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL in 2002, again for RTE.

She has appeared as a guest on many TV shows including judging BBC’s Masterchef and Junior Masterchef, Food and Drink Show, The Holiday Programme, Wish You Were Here, Good Morning America and NBC Weekend Today Show.

Darina was responsible for setting up Ireland’s first Farmers’ Markets. She was awarded the Veuve Clicquot Irish Businesswoman of the Year Award 2001.

In her eagerly awaited new book Darina Allen, Ireland’s best-loved chef, the head of the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School and the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ Cookery Teacher of the Year 2005, takes all the stress out of entertaining.
If you look forward to hosting a party with more trepidation than anticipation, or if you spend most of the occasion worrying rather than enjoying yourself, EASY ENTERTAINING is the trusty kitchen companion you have been waiting for.
No other book covers such a broad range of occasions – from simple coffee mornings and elegant tea parties to barbecues, buffets and dinners. Whether you are expecting five guests or a hundred, Darina provides over 250 delicious and – more importantly – foolproof recipes. Here is everything you need to entertain without incurring a couple of nervous breakdowns on the way!
Darina’s commonsense advice and delicious recipes will ease your way through children’s parties, Halloween drinks, Bonfire Night family dinners and all the entertaining of the festive season and beyond.