GINO D’Acampo, winner of ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!’ will be the star attraction at this year’s Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, attending on its opening day, Saturday 25th September.

He will be showing off his cookery skills in the Manx Food Theatre during the morning and afternoon and will spend all day at the Festival.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival this year,” he said. “I can’t wait to sample the Island’s brilliant local produce and to add my Italian twist to it in my cooking demonstrations.  It’s so important to eat well and to buy fresh local produce to support the local economy so I look forward to seeing what the Isle of Man has to offer.”

Gino D’Acampo is one of the most familiar chefs on television, appearing regularly on ‘Ready Steady Cook’ and numerous other cooking programmes such as UKTV Food. He is also the owner of a supplier of Italian ingredients to the UK food industry, called Bonta Italia Ltd and also designs ready-made meals for major supermarkets

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Department of Economic Development are supporting the Festival which proved very popular last year with residents and visitors to the Island. It takes place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September from 11am to 5pm in the Villa Marina Gardens, Colonnade and Villa Marina Arcade.

The Festival will be a celebration of Manx produce with stallholders offering everything from real ale, queenies, meats, fresh veg, cakes and fudge to taste and to buy.  There will be cooking competitions and plenty of activities to entertain young visitors.  Local music and dance acts will be also performing throughout the weekend.

To find out more about what will be happening over the Food and Drink Festival weekend go to www.isleofmanfoodanddrinkfestival.com