A LOCAL chef is representing the Isle of Man in a cook off at a food festival in Ireland today (Wednesday).

John Dixon, who is the head chef at Harbour Lights Café and Restaurant in Ramsey, is cooking at the Taste of West Cork Food Festival. 

The festival takes place in and around Skibbereen and attracts thousands of visitors and professional chefs from across the world.

One chef from each of the Celtic territories – Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, Britanny and the Isle of Man – will compete in the cook off.

John, who has more than 15 years of culinary experience, was selected to represent the Island after winning the Professional Chef of the Year Award at last year's Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival.

Each chef in the cook off will be given a bag of West Cork produce that they will choose from a list of approved producers within an agreed budget. They can also choose a wild card ingredient, which is not included in the budget, from their own territory.

John said: "It is wonderful to be able to go and represent the Island and show off the wonderful selection of local produce we have on offer.

"I try to incorporate as much local produce into our menus at Harbour Lights and I have selected Ellerslie Oil from Crosby as my wild card ingredient.

"I'm also taking some beautiful Pooil Vaaish slate to present my dishes on."

For more information on the Taste of West Cork food festival visit www.atasteofwestcork.com