The chef and Ballymaloe cookery teacher revealed she underwent a knee replacement last year and says she now feels terrific and lucky to have gotten ‘spare parts’
Darina Allen(Image: White Cat Studio)
Darina Allen feels happy and grateful to have recovered from a knee replacement.
The much loved chef had the procedure last year and says she is feeling better as a result.
The operation was a success and Darina is more than happy to share the news.
She told RSVP Magazine: “Yes, I had a full knee replacement at the end of last August. I can walk perfectly fine now.
“Hill walks or steep stairs are still a little hard, I can’t run up and down them like I used to. Nevertheless, it is great.
“Isn’t it great that we can get spare parts now? [laughs].
“It doesn’t bother me talking about it in the least. I’m totally happy to tell people how happy and grateful I am to have a new knee.”
Darina has been more conscious of her health as she has gotten older but doesn’t know what happened to her knee that caused it needing to be replaced.
“I do [become more health conscious], but then again I don’t know, there doesn’t seem to be any logic in getting my knee replaced,” she said.
“People say it’s because I’ve been standing all my life, but lots of people are always standing, running and the rest of it and never needed a replacement.
“But look, it’s terrific and I’m very glad to have been able to get a new knee.”
The Ballymaloe Festival of Food is back this weekend, and once again Darina is really looking forward to it.
She told us: “It’s getting bigger, better, more exciting and more delicious every year.
“This year the theme is ‘Soil to Table’, there will be over 30 speakers and some top chefs from around the country cooking tasty lunches and dinners.
“It takes place at the Ballymaloe Grain Store with lots of cooking demonstrations and so many different things to do.”
Ballymaloe remains a beloved brand with Irish consumers after years in business, and Darina reckons she knows why it enjoys sustained success.
She said: “The thing about Ballymaloe Cookery School and Ballymaloe House is that they are both situated on farms.
“People love to see the cows, pigs, chickens and goats out and about.
“We’re so fortunate that we grow a lot of our food and we know where the food is coming from.
“We’re really passionate about soil, which sounds a bit formal, but all good food comes from good soil.”
Darina started the Organic Farm School two and a half years ago and the response has been incredible so far.
She added: “I’d hoped it would be successful but, my God, I had no concept of the overwhelming response to it.
“Some people have flown from Australia to attend, others from America and France and so on.
“More and more it seems, particularly in the corporate world, people are having a moment and want to take back some control over their lives and dream of being more self-sufficient.
“People want to grow their own food and are really longing to take back a bit of control over their food.
“It’s a great place to meet new people and make friends. And there is nothing truer than the saying that the way to people’s hearts is through their tummy.”
Cooking is not just Darina’s job, it is a way of life at home with her family too.
She said: “Homecooking is the most important kind of food – the food that you sit down and share around the kitchen table.
“Every evening we have what we call a ‘kitchen supper’, and almost every evening we invite someone to join us, even if it’s at the last minute.”
What does Darina love to cook and eat?
“It depends what is in season,” she explained.
“The other week, we had a wonderful roast chicken with lovely sea kale and some chard purple sprouts and broccoli. This season, I’m loving tortillas, with mayonnaise or wild garlic butter.
“I love bringing the seasons into my food as well. There’s technique in the food I like to make, but it’s also stuff people easily can make at home to share with their family and friends.”
Read the full interview with Darina in this month’s issue of RSVP Magazine, on shelves nationwide now.
The Ballymaloe Festival of Food takes place from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May 2026 on the grounds of Ballymaloe House Hotel in East Cork, promising a weekend bursting with world-class chefs, delicious food, hands-on cookery and cocktail workshops, wine and cocktail tastings, walks, talks and local food producers.
Tickets and packages are on sale now from www.ballymaloefestivaloffood.com.
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