What a weekend at the Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food and Wine 2014! Our big congratulations go to the Litfest team, for a hugely successful and highly enjoyable weekend. East Cork was the place to see and be seen this weekend. Ballymaloe House looked stunning in May sunshine. Ballymaloe Cookery School set the scene for the big names to strut their stuff in the kitchen. Storming cookery demos from Diana Kennedy (90 years young – still going strong!) Ross Lewis and Rachel Allen among many other international and home chefs wowed the audience. In the Big Shed a host of food producers fed the crowds with gorgeous homemade creations. We spotted Anthony Creswell of Ummera Smokehouse in Timoleague, and Declan Ryan of Ryan’s Arbutus Breads in Cork City, to name just two Good Food Ireland Approved Providers. This wonderful Ham Baked in Hay and Bread Dough was a winner on the Arbutus stall. Declan explained he discovered the recipe in France and decided to recreate it for the Litfest crowds. They loved it, needless to say! Well done to the Litfest organisers, to Darina Allen for her painstaking commitment and never ending passion for good food, and to the rest of the house and cookery school team who put on a jolly good show. Delighted to hear next year’s Litfest dates have already been announced. We’re looking forward to it!