A number of people who had booked courses at the Ballymaloe Cookery School or held gift vouchers for classes there cancelled their attendance yesterday.
Their protest action follows the conviction of Tim Allen in the District Court on Thursday for possession of child pornography.
Tim Allen and his wife, Darina, run Ballymaloe Cookery School and Gardens near Shanagarry. The business in east Cork has become perhaps the best-known specialist cookery school in the State since being established in 1983.
The public relations consultant for the Allen family, Mr Pat Heneghan, confirmed last night that four people who had gift vouchers for the cookery school had cancelled them and two people had cancelled their plans to attend courses at the school. However, up to 12 others had called to book classes, he said.
A 12-week cookery course at Ballymaloe costs €6,635 and 57 students of 11 different nationalities are participating in one of these courses at present.
Mr Heneghan confirmed that a small number of people had also called Ballymaloe House Hotel yesterday to say that they would not be lunching there again.
Callers to radio also indicated their intention to return by post to Ballymaloe cookery books they had bought which were written by Tim Allen.
Ballymaloe Cookery School is one of a number of businesses owned by the Allen family, including a hotel and restaurant, a craft shop and a farm. Members of the family also own a food business. They are regarded as very hard-working and their businesses are perceived to be successful.
The cookery school is described as one of the foremost in Europe on its website. It has been a considerable beneficiary of the high profile enjoyed by Darina Allen and, latterly, by Tim Allen, through their television work.
A bread specialist, Tim Allen manages and teaches in the school. He has also published a book on bread, following in the path of Darina, who has published a number of highly-successful cookery books. Her name is used on a brand of ice-cream.
The school's website indicates that there is already a waiting list for the next 12-week certificate programme, scheduled for September. The charge for the 2004 certificate courses is due to rise to €7,650. One-week, half-week and one-day programmes are also offered.
While the business is believed to be very strong, Companies Office filings reveal only scant information about its performance. The most recent records show that Tim Allen owns 25 per cent of the cookery school while the remaining shares are held by other members of his immediate family. The records also show that Tim Allen owns 16 per cent of Yeats Room Ltd, the family restaurant business.