THE SEMI finalists have been chosen for both the amateur and professional ‘I Love Manx’ chef competitions who will cook in front of a live audience at the Royal Show later this month.
Judges have reviewed entries and have now chosen a shortlist of eight to compete at the show for a place in the finals to be held at the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival in September.
Semi- finalists for the 2011 I Love Manx amateur chef competition are Pam Crowe of Port Erin, Sheila Gawne of Pooilvaish, Vicky Rogers of Port St Mary and Lucy Kinrade of Ramsey. Their recipes included Peel kipper kedgeree, Manx lamb and Manx queenies.
They will cook these at the Royal Show on Saturday August 13 at 3 pm and the two finalists will be judged by television MasterChef semi-finalist Stacie Stewart at the festival on Saturday September 24. The winner will receive £300 plus a special cookery day for four at Relish Cookery School, Glen Auldyn.
In the professional category, the judges selected Angiolino Raso from The Italian Job, Yohann Bonjus from the International Business School, Mohammed Hoque from the Spice of India and Bob Ashton from The Sound Café for the professional chef semi-final.
Their entries included: Agnello Mare e Monti, trio of Manx starters, Manx lamb chop Korai with garlic nan and crab and lobster risotto with deep fried marinaded queenies. They will cook these at the Royal Show on Friday August 12 at 3 pm.
Celebrity TV chef James Martin will judge the two finalists at the festival on September 25. The winner will receive a cheque for £500 plus a feature in either Manx Tails or Money Media on themselves and their place of work.
The competition is sponsored by Manx Gas. Gary Cregeen, sales and marketing manager, said, “I am really looking forward to the semi-finals and having the chance to taste the recipes which have been submitted by our chosen shortlist of chefs. I hope that there will be a full audience at the Royal to cheer them on – and of course to join in the tasting afterwards”.
Manx NFU Chairman, Ray Craine said, “I really enjoy learning new ways of using our great local produce and the recipes provided by our shortlisted chefs certainly provide some good ideas.
“They are quick and easy to use at home and make the best use of our fresh, seasonal goods. Recipes will be available in the Manx Food Theatre at the Royal Show, so come along and be inspired”.
