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Scarlett Allen, 17, is beginning to carve out her own place in Ireland’s food scene — and she’s keeping it in the family. The teenager has teamed up with her second cousin Tamsin for a string of live cooking events that draw directly on both families’ culinary roots.
Growing up surrounded by food
The pair come from well-known culinary households. Scarlett is the daughter of chef Rachel Allen, while Tamsin’s father, Cullen Allen, helped found the soup brand Cully & Sully. Both cousins say food was the backdrop to their childhoods.
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Tamsin told the Irish Independent that their early years were full of simple, hands-on food experiences — from visits to the cookery school beside Scarlett’s home to berry-picking near the family lands by Ballymaloe. Food, she said, was simply part of everyday life.
Finding a path after school
Scarlett only recently decided that cooking will be her focus after finishing school. The choice feels natural given her upbringing, though she says it’s a decision that came into focus over the last year.
Live demos and festival plans
This August the cousins will take part in a cooking demonstration at the Folly Festival in Laois. Rachel Allen will join them on stage, lending experience and practical advice to the session.
Family members describe Rachel as adept at keeping an audience involved — a useful skill for a festival kitchen. The duo say the live appearances are both a learning opportunity and a chance to introduce themselves to wider festival audiences.
Heritage and ambitions
Scarlett’s connection to Ireland’s culinary history runs deep. Her great-grandmother, Myrtle, holds the distinction of being the first Irish woman to win a Michelin star and taught Scarlett small skills — like peeling shrimp — from a very young age.
Looking ahead, the cousins have set their sights on making an impression at Electric Picnic as their next big target. For now, they’re focused on the Folly demo and building experience in front of live audiences.
