Visitors to the Royal Manx Agricultural Show on Friday 9th August will be able to watch local chefs in action as they battle for the chance of a place in the finals of the I Love Manx  “Chef of the Year” competition. The semi finals will start at 3pm on 9th August whilst the finals will be held at the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival on 21st September where The Fabulous Baker Brothers will head the judging panel.
 
The semi- finalists for the 2013 “Chef of the Year” competition are:
1)    Marcus Purcell, Head Chef at the Glen Helen Inn, St Johns.
2)    Ewen Hamilton, Head Chef at Ballacregga Corn Mill, Wheel Hill, Laxey.
3)    Joan Mowat, Chef/Proprietor, Tanroagan Seafood Restaurant, Douglas.
4)    Helen McMullen, Assistant Cook at Ashley Hill School, Onchan.
 
Their recipes include:
1)    Pan fired Monk Fish and Queenies served with Queenie Roe Sauce and Spring Vegetables.
2)    Slow roasted pork belly in Madeira wine with a garlic langoustine, pureed peas and crushed new potatoes in a caraway seed jus.
3)    Manx Queenie pie with a leek and smoked bacon beurre blanc served with samphire.
4)    Pan seared Manx trout with roasted pumpkin seed and vegetable pancake with beetroot and tomato salsa.
 
The chefs have created recipes using Manx produce in new and exciting ways, making the most of its quality, freshness and seasonal  availability.    
 
The winner of the I Love Manx “Chef of the year” competition will receive ?500 cash plus a full page advertisement for their place of work or advertising on Manx Radio, plus an engraved plaque and certificate.