BUDDING cooks and professional chefs are being sought for this year's I Love Manx Chef of the Year competition.
Those who wish to take part will be be tasked with cooking in front of a live audience and judges at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show in August.
For succesful chefs this will be followed by another live cooking event at the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival in September.
Family cooks (ametuers who can be accompanied by another family member) will need to impress Masterchef semi-finalist Stacie Stewart at the Food and Drink Festival on Saturday, September 24. Professional chefs will be judged by celebrity chef James Martin at the event on Sunday, September 25.
The family chef winner will be awarded £300 plus a unique cookery day for four at the Relish Cookery School in Glen Audlyn while professional chefs will win £500 and a double page advertisement in Manx Tails for their place of work.
John Shimmin MHK, the Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, launched the campaign by cooking a Manx breakfast at Gelling's Free Range Eggs Ltd in Baldrine.
At the launch Mr Shimmin was joined by Ray Craine the president of the National Farmers Union and Gary Cregeen the sales and marketing manager for Manx Gas who is sponsoring the festival.
Gary said: "Manx Gas is delighted to be associated with these competitions which celebrate the culinary skills of cooks on the Island plus the quality of local Manx produce.
"We are also pleased to be the gold sponsor of the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival which is a superb showcase for Manx produce and highlights the importance of good food and healthy eating.
"It's not only an event which stimulates the taste buds but one which offers some great entertainment for the whole family while bringing together all communities on the Island."
Competition details and entry forms can be obtained from I Love Manx, Agriculture House, Ballafletcher Farm Road, Isle of Man IM4 4QE or by e-mailing contact@ilovemanx.org. The closing date for entries is June 24.
