Despite the change of venue from the Nunnery to Knockaloe, the 4th Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival proved to be a great success with exhibitors and visitors alike.  Visitor numbers exceeded those in 2011 with just over 5000 people, including children, attending the event.
 
Good weather on Saturday contributed to the success but visitors thoroughly enjoyed being entertained by Ainsley Harriott. He gave two exciting cookery demonstrations in a packed Manx Food Theatre, signed cookery books, wowed the crowds watching the final of the “I Love Manx Chef of the Year” competition which was won by Robert Hooper of L’experience in Douglas and presented an engraved plaque to Ballakilley Farms, Bride who won the Festival’s Best Presented Stand award. 
 
On Sunday, Steve Colley and Dot Tilbury put on a spirited performance as they cooked omelettes and exchanged saucy banter under the watchful eye of Chef Tony Quirk.  Other weekend highlights included the launch of Stay on a Farm’s new accommodation brochure, a fabulous ice sculpture of a Loaghtan ram created by Stephanie Jackson (nee Quayle), milking demonstrations in the MNFU’s Farm in the Festival marquee which attracted over 120 people on Saturday alone and an entertaining treasure hunt for young visitors run by the Living Hope Community Church.
 
A wide range of quality Manx produce was on sale and visitors enjoyed tastings as well as the opportunity to buy direct from producers. Many exhibitors reported excellent sales and orders and some sold out completely. Shoprite promoted their sales of Manx meat and gave away money off vouchers for people to redeem within their stores around the Island.
 
An auction of local food donated by exhibitors and including a tumble dryer provided by Festival sponsor Manx Gas plus raffles run by MostlyManx and Stephanie Jackson raised an amazing £1,250 for the Dreamcatcher appeal.
 
DEFA Minister, Phil Gawne, MHK said: “My Department runs this Festival to provide an opportunity for Manx food and drink producers to promote their products and for visitors to find out about the diversity of quality food and drink which is produced here. I congratulate the exhibitors for their hard work in providing an excellent selection of local produce and I thank visitors for supporting them through their interest and purchases. Not only do local food and drink producers make an important contribution to the local economy, they provide us with some very enjoyable and innovative tastes and I hope to see even more quality produce develop in time”.
 
Gary Cregeen, sales and marketing manager for Manx Gas, Gold sponsor of the Festival said: “The attendance figures for the Festival speak for themselves and Manx Gas is proud and delighted for the third year running to have  sponsored what has clearly become such a successful event.   The Festival is not only a focal point for the island’s communities over two great fun packed days  but it has also become a blue riband showcase for  its produce and crafts.”