Rory O'Connell is a teacher, cookbook author, and co-founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School. Rory was head chef of Ballymaloe House for ten years, he was twice awarded the prestigious title of Ireland’s Chef of the Year. He co-founded Ballymaloe Cookery School with his sister Darina Allen in 1983. He worked for many years with Myrtle Allen as chef at The Ballymaloe House Hotel in Cork as well as with Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in California.