DUBLIN, Ireland: Post-tax profits at Ballymaloe Cookery School rose by 53 percent in 2024 to 135,952 euros, helped by the buzz around Hollywood actress Kate Winslet taking a course there last year.

New financial records for Ballymaloe Cookery School Ltd show the 2024 profit follows 88,864 euros earned in 2023. These latest profits pushed the school's total accumulated earnings to 3.05 million euros.

The school, based on a 100-acre organic farm in East Cork, is majority-owned by well-known chef Darina Allen. It made headlines in April 2023 when Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet signed up for a two-and-a-half-day cooking course with TV chef and bestselling author Rachel Allen.

Ballymaloe runs over 60 cookery courses each year. Its most popular program is the 12-week certificate course, offered three times annually. The September 2024 and January 2025 courses are already fully booked, with students paying 16,295 euros for the September session and 16,795 euros for January. There are waiting lists for both.

The school continues to be a significant local employer. Staff numbers increased from 68 to 73 last year, and total wage costs rose from 2.52 million euros to 2.6 million euros. The team includes three directors and 70 teaching and administrative staff.

The profit figures include 183,123 euros in non-cash depreciation costs. Directors' pay slightly dropped from 336,478 euros to 329,847 euros.

The company's cash reserves also rose from 944,642 euros to 988,639 euros, and the value of its fixed assets edged up from 4.7 million euros to 4.78 million euros.

However, the school's financial statements noted a warning about future risks. Under "post balance sheet events," the company mentioned uncertainty caused by global political tensions, rising energy costs, and inflation. The directors said they couldn't yet estimate how these issues might affect the business.

Ballymaloe Cookery School is one of several businesses run by the Allen family at the Ballymaloe estate.