GINO D’Acampo put on a crowd pleasing cooking demonstration at the Food and Drink Festival this morning (Saturday).

The charismatic chef entertained the packed Manx Food Theatre with a live demonstration which saw him cook a pasta dish and a tiramisu.

The chef said: "I love the Isle of Man. When I was asked to do this show I said yes straight away. I’ve always wanted to see the Isle of Man and I would have come for free.

"This is the best place ever. Everyone is very friendly and not miserable like in London. Everyone smiles back at you. I will come back definitely as I want to bring my kids here."

Gino’s assistant for the performance was Manx Gas managing director Tony Nicholls. When he told Gino he couldn’t cook the chef turned to Tony’s wife and said: "I’m going to show you how you can teach a useless husband how to cook."

He also told the audience: "Italian food is like Italian men – minimum effort and maximum satisfaction."

Gino flew into the Island yesterday afternoon from Luton. He said: "I came on that propeller thing! My agent was telling me that in the war all they had were propeller planes so I thought this is cool."

Last night Gino sampled some of the Island’s local produce at dinner. He had scallops and fresh lobster in the new restaurant 14 North and said: "Yesterday’s restaurant was amazing. That chef knows what he’s doing."

Celebrity chef Gino, who is a regular on the ITV 1 show This Morning, said he was inspired to cook by his family.

He explained: "My grandfather was a chef. I used to see him cooking and making people happy and I thought this is the best job ever. If I wasn’t a chef, I would have been a virgin!"

Gino has said publically that if This Morning wins a National Television Award he will cook live on the show naked. He revealed: "Yes I said that and knowing my luck this year we will win."

Full of admiration for the audience he closed the demonstration and said: "Thank you I’ve had such a great time."

Judging by the audience reaction they all thought he was, in Gino’s words, "Fantastico".

Photo by Tessa Hawley