Knives sharpened for top IOM chef contest

Compete to be creme-de-la-creme

Aspiring chefs in the Island are being encouraged to take part in a contest which will see one of them crowned cream of the crop.

Entries have opened for the 2017 Isle of Man Chef of the Year competition - with a £500 cash prize, advertising campaign and trophy up for grabs, as well as high-profile recognition for the chef and their restaurant. 

In applying, chefs must submit recipes which use Manx grown or produced ingredients by 12 May.

Shortlisted chefs will compete before judges at University College Isle of Man, where two finalists will be selected to cook in a head-to-head final at this year's Food and Drink Festival at the Villa Marina in September. 

The competition is sponsored by Robinson's as part of a wider promotion of Manx produce, and the government's Food Matters strategy.

A Student Chef of the Year competition is being run in tandem for those on hospitality and catering courses at UCM.

Twenty students will cook their favourite dishes on 29 June, the two winners also competing for finals honours at the festival.