Euro-Toques Ireland celebrates four decades of championing Irish culinary heritage at Ballymaloe House

Euro-Toques Ireland celebrated 40 years at Ballymaloe House on 10 August 2026
The organisation was founded by Myrtle Allen and five other European chefs in 1986
The anniversary included garden tours, a reception and lunch at Ballymaloe
Darina Allen, Conor Halpenny and other members attended the celebration
A documentary on Euro-Toques Ireland will air on RTÉ

Euro-Toques Ireland has marked its 40th anniversary with a gathering of chefs, producers and food advocates at Ballymaloe House Hotel, the place where the Irish chapter began four decades ago. The celebration brought together members of the Euro-Toques community across generations to reflect on 40 years of protecting Irish culinary heritage, championing artisan producers, supporting young chefs and strengthening the relationship between the people who grow, make, catch and cook Ireland’s food.

Ballymaloe House served as the setting for the occasion, having been where Myrtle Allen joined forces with a group of leading European chefs to establish the Irish chapter of Euro-Toques. Euro-Toques Europe was founded in 1986 by six pioneering chefs: Pierre Romeyer of Belgium, Myrtle Allen of Ireland, Gualtiero Marchesi of Italy, Juan Mari Arzak of Spain, Paul Bocuse of France and Cas Spijker of the Netherlands. Each founder established a national branch, bringing together chefs committed to preserving traditional culinary methods, supporting exceptional regional producers and promoting high standards of culinary excellence.

The anniversary day began at Ballymaloe Cookery School, where members received a guided tour led by chef member Darina Allen, exploring the organic gardens, farm and growing areas. The gathering then moved to Ballymaloe House for a welcome reception featuring seasonal Irish canapés and drinks, with lunch designed by Executive Chef Dervilla O’Flynn and Head Pastry Chef JR Ryall. The afternoon continued with The Story of Ballymaloe with Fern Allen and a guided tour of the walled garden. The anniversary celebration will form part of an upcoming RTÉ documentary produced in collaboration with Another Avenue.

Conor Halpenny shared: “Creating a connection between what we do and the reason why we do it is important, and Ballymaloe embodies precisely that. It is a place that inspires people to dream big. I was delighted to see the older and newer generations come together, and I am proud of what Euro-Toques has created: a table where we can all sit together – chefs and producers – and exchange ideas. It is so important to protect that relationship and to learn from each other, so that ultimately we put produce on the plate that is not only available to us, but is also indicative of who we are.”