Marian Kilcoyne graduated from our course in 2008 and went on to open cafe in Powerscourt Townhouse off Grafton St. in Dublin with her then business partner Dervla Conlon.
What prompted you to do the course?
Ballymaloe was my opportunity to turn my job into my career really. 聽I was working for a major restaurant business in Dublin, in a front-of-house position. 聽I loved it! 聽I had built up a great deal of experience and enjoyed the buzz of the food industry but I was restless to put my own stamp on the market, and to do so right from choosing the raw ingredients through to creating the final food product, while also not missing out on being involved in the dining experience. That鈥檚 why you will see me now in the Pepper Pot 鈥 sometimes, doing the baking first thing, other times, calling away the food orders at the pass, and often delivering food and making coffees. 聽 I knew the moment I met Darina on day one, her farm-to-plate philosophy was just what I needed to know more about to make it happen for me. 聽I had some fun!
Describe your journey post-Ballymaloe which led ultimately to the creation of your own Pepper Pot Cafe?
After completing the course I felt really energised. 聽Armed with all these new culinary skills, I was eager to get stuck in. 聽The first opportunity came straight to me from a small fish restaurant in Inis Oir. 聽It was crazy, living on this tiny peaceful island and at the same time, thrown into the deep end of a busy kitchen. 聽The pressure was on but all this wonderful fresh fish and lots of hand-on experience! 聽From there I worked at the in Dublin, another busy spot but this time with a city鈥檚 sense of urgency. 聽It was there I met with Dervla Conlon and we began to plan our own venture in the Capital. 聽It was no time really (2010) before we opened the doors of the Pepper Pot 鈥.. on a bit of a shoestring I might add.
Tell us more about the Pepper Pot Caf茅.
The Pepper Pot is now five years old. 聽It鈥檚 hard to believe it! 聽We opened during the recession in Powerscourt Townhouse, which was at the time becoming a little forgotten about, I think. 聽Although it is right in the centre of the city and is an historical building of great appeal, it had lost its special atmosphere as I remember it having, as a youngster round town. 聽I thought this was a great chance to tap into its old charm. 聽 聽Homemade baked goods was our primary vision 鈥 breads and sandwiches, soups, salads and sweet fare. 聽We are now known for these, and in particular, our Pear and Bacon Sandwich and our homemade bagels.
What are your plans for the future?
This is an exciting time. 聽Myself and Dervla now have a business each. 聽She has moved back to Easkey and founded and I am going solo here at It is the natural next step for us, and now, after a five year partnership, we are both individually ready to go it alone 鈥 although, really you are never alone. 聽I am a big believer in collaboration; the whole industry is based on good relationships 鈥 with customers, colleagues, suppliers and friends 鈥 all good things come from such interactions. 聽So, once again I am at a crossroads. 聽The Pepper Pot is going to stay true to its original ethos, but there are exciting changes ahead too. 聽
