ME AND MY MONEY:Darina Allen - chef
Are you a saver or a spender?
I’m a bit of both. I can certainly spend, but I have always been brought up to save something for a rainy day.
Do you shop around for better value?
If I feel the price is fair, I just pay – sometimes one needs to balance the time and energy that goes into saving another few euro. The reward needs to be worth the effort – it can easily become an obsession!
What has been your most extravagant purchase ever and how much did it cost?
When I first came to Ballymaloe, I bought a beautiful hand-thrown bread bin from Stephen Pearce at Shanagarry Pottery. It cost £15 – three weeks’ wages back then! I still have it, though, and treasure it every day.
What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money?
A Mexican mojacete (pestle and mortar) – it cost about €60. It’s made of lava rock and the friction between pestle and mortar means I can grind spices in a few seconds and enjoy the tantalizing aroma.
Have you ever crossed the border to shop?
No.
Do you haggle over prices?
Not in Ireland, but I do when I’m away in countries like Morocco, where they expect you to haggle. I make some enquiries about the “secret” code and eventually pay what they expect.
Has the recession changed your spending habits?
I’m more cautious, but I’m even more mindful of the importance of buying locally to keep the money in our local community so as to support the local farmers, fishermen and artisan producers who supply us.
Do you invest in shares?
No. I did it only once when, like everyone else in the country, I was seduced into buying Eircom shares by lovely Mary O’Rourke.
Cash or card?
Card for most things.
What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money?
A photo-voltaic system to generate solar electricity. I reckon it will take over 20 years for it to pay for itself at the rate ESB pay per kilowatt at present.
Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase?
Yes, I saved up for over six months to buy a Crolly dolly for 7s/6d in Woolworths in Kilkenny when I was eight or nine. She was my most treasured possession for many years.
Have you ever lost money?
Yes, we ran a farm shop on our farm in the early 1980s. It was very busy, so I was sure we were making money. It came as quite a shock when our accountant broke the news at the end of the year that we had lost £5,000-plus – a fortune then. I was a “busy fool”, and I swore it would not happen again. I’m hopeless about accounts, but I now make sure someone else keeps a beady eye on that area.
Are you a gambler and if so have you ever had a big win?
No – but if I was at a race meeting or the dogs (a pretty rare occurrence), I would definitely put a few bob each-way for the fun – I reckon I’m God’s gift to Paddy Power!
Is money important to you?
Yes, money also opens up enormous opportunities to do exciting projects.
How much money do you have on you now?
Not a penny – I don’t carry money when I’m cooking!
In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
