Clodagh, who hails from Dublin, has become one of Ireland’s best known chefs and authors in a very short space of time! Having studied in France and New York, she turned her attention to the culinary arts, and went to train as a chef at Ballymaloe Cookery School. After her training she spent a further three years in Ballymaloe.
After a trip to Middleton Farmers Market, Clodagh’s path changed and she left Ballymaloe and set up her own stall. She then set up a commercial kitchen making pates, which her cousin Barrie Tyner now sells at farmers markets in Cork.
But not one to let the grass grow, Clodagh decided to turn her hand to writing and now has three books published - ‘The Irish Farmers' Market Cookbook’, ‘Fresh From the Sea’ and ‘Homemade’. Clodagh also writes for various magazines and papers.
As well as writing her books, Clodagh has also filmed several television series. Her shows have been seen by audiences in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Clodagh has just finished filming ‘Clodagh McKenna’s Irish Food Trails’ which airs on in the USA in May 2012!
Autumn of 2008 saw Clodagh take on the fashion world with her exciting new ‘glam’ kitchenware range. Her personally designed 1950’s-inspired aprons are available from her website and are in over 50 outlets throughout Ireland and the UK.
In 2010, Clodagh teamed up with the Village at Lyons in Co. Kildare to open the doors of her new cookery school called The Village at Lyons Cookery School with Clodagh McKenna. Additionally, she opened the Canal Café by Clodagh along with her fabulous kitchen store called The General Store by Clodagh. The Village at Lyons, located only 30 minutes from Dublin City Centre and is situated along the Grand Canal, is a perfect retreat for from the hustle of everyday life. Visitors can take part in hands-on cookery courses taught by Clodagh or they can pick up a picnic lunch from her café.
In September 2011, Clodagh launched her brand ‘Homemade by Clodagh’ in Arnotts department store in Dublin, which is the largest department store in Dublin. Under the banner ‘Homemade by Clodagh’ there will be Clodagh’s Kitchen (a restaurant), The Food Court and The Food Market.
All together Clodagh has a magic touch and we are so delighted to have her as an Ambassador for the MS Ireland Tea Party.