CHEFS from around the Isle of Man have been given more time to prepare their recipes for the ‘I Love Manx’ professional and amateur chefs competitions to be held later this summer.

The Department of Food and Agriculture announced this morning that the deadline for applications for the competitions  has been extended to  July 7,  in response to requests from interested applicants to have more time in which to fine-tune their recipes for the competition.

‘I Love Manx’ is seeking keen family and professional cooks to enter its annual competitions which emphasise the use of fresh, Manx produced ingredients. Entrants will be asked to cook in front of a live audience and judges in the Manx Food Theatre at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show in August, followed by the final at the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival in September. 

Family cooks will need to impress Masterchef semi-finalist Stacie Stewart on Saturday, September 24, whilst professional chefs will be judged by celebrity chef James Martin on Sunday September 25.

Competition details and entry forms can be obtained from I Love Manx, Agriculture House, Ballafletcher Farm Road, Isle of Man IM4 4QE or contact@ilovemanx.org

The prize for the Family Chef winner is £300, plus a unique cookery day for four at Relish Cookery School in Glen Auldyn, whilst professional chefs will win £500 , plus a double page advertisement for their place of work.  The competitions are both sponsored by Manx Gas who also provide gas cookers for finalists  to use.

MNFU President Ray Craine said, “There are some excellent amateur and professional cooks on the Island so now’s your chance to win a great prize and share your skills with enthusiastic audiences.

“Competitors get lots of help on the day so you’ll have fun even if it seems a little daunting.  Please send in your entries now –  we’re looking forward to an exciting competition which makes the most of your passion for cooking with our great local produce”.