Profits at Ballymaloe Cookery School increase to €2.9m

Accumulated profits at the renowned Ballymaloe cookery school firm in east Cork, which recently hosted Hollywood star Kate Winslet, last year climbed to €2.9m.

That is according to new accounts which show that post-tax profits at Ballymaloe Cookery School Ltd last year totalled €88,864 which was a 2% increase on the profits of €86,876 for 2022.

The Cork cookery school business sits on a 100-acre organic firm where Darina Allen is the majority shareholder.

Last month, the cookery school came into the spotlight after Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet enrolled in a two-and-a-half-day course with TV chef and bestselling cookbook author Rachel Allen.

Commenting on the cookery school firm’s financial performance last year, director Toby Allen said: “We are delighted that 2023 was a busy year and we were able to increase our numbers back to pre covid levels which helped with the bottom line. We had a selection of more than 60 courses in 2023 and were delighted that most were full. Many, including our 12-week certificate courses had waiting lists when they started, which shows great confidence in our business.

“Our next 12-week course begins in September and it is already full, which is great news.”

Mr Allen said that increased costs of energy and food have continued to be a concern and necessitated an increase in our course fees.

The cost of sitting the school’s 12-week certificate course in 2024 is €14,495.

Mr Allen said: “We are delighted that the cookery school continues to attract students from all over Ireland, the UK and the rest of the world.

“Our most recent course has students from 12 different countries around the world with students ranging from 18 to 65 years old.”

Mr Allen wouldn’t be drawn up on the recent enrolment of Kate Winslet when asked if the publicity surrounding her time at Ballymaloe resulted in a spike in bookings.

“We value the privacy of all our students and are unable to answer any specific questions,” he added.

The profits of the last three years at the school firm follow post-tax losses of €193,097 during the covid-19 hit 2020.

The school is a significant employer in east rural Cork and last year numbers employed increased from 66 to 68 as staff costs rose from €2.33m to €2.52m.

The profits last year take the account of non-cash depreciation costs of €170,796 while directors’ pay rose from €288,665 to €336,478.

The firm’s cash funds reduced from €1.27m to €944,642 after the company re-invested in the business enterprise.

The book value of the firm’s fixed assets increased by €753,408 to €6m before non-cash depreciation costs are taken into account.

Mr Allen said: “We are continually investing in new accommodation for our students and were able to add eight new bedrooms last year.”

This coming weekend, the inaugural Ballymaloe Festival of Food at Ballymaloe House and Grainstore, which is about 5km from the cookery school, takes place.