Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival
The Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival will take place at the Villa Marina Gardens on Saturday 16 September - 10am to 9pm and Sunday 17 September - 10am to 5pm.
It is the biggest annual showcase of Isle of Man food and drink and boasts a produce marquee, tasting opportunities, caterers, demonstrations, activities for children and the finals of the Isle of Man Chef of the Year competitions – (Finalists: Chefs Marcus Purcell of Noitre Café in Laxey and Sam Kelly) and Student Chef of the Year competitions (Finalists: Marcus Boyd and Bailey Purcell from our hospitality and catering students at University College Isle of Man). Over 60 exhibitors will be attending.
Last year it attracted more than 10,000 visitors.
This year the celebrity guests will be Ladies in Pigs and will promote the quality, versatility and value of Manx meat and the importance of labelling and marketing.
If you would like to take part in the Isle of Man’s first Hot Dog Eating competition then please see the poster in the downloadable documents section.
The festival’s popularity reflects the growth in Isle of Man food and drink, being driven by DEFA;s Food Matters strategy, and the growing desire among people to support local food and drink producers and businesses.
Isle of Man food and drink producers are toasting their best ever year in Great Taste Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of the food industry. The Guild of Fine Food has announced that 56 Isle of Man products have won awards, double the number achieved in 2016. Many of these producers will be attending the festival.
The Festival will be celebrating a milestone in 2018 when it will be celebrating it’s 10th anniversary.
The festival is sponsored by PokerStars, Robinson’s, Magnet, Thai Thai restaurant, Isle of Man Teas and The Abbey and The Forge restaurants and held In Association With Manx Radio.
Tickets cost just £4 (day) and £5 (weekend) for adults, with admission free for under 16s. Saturday and weekend tickets include re-admission on Saturday evening.
Tickets can be booked via Villa Gaiety or purchased on the gate.
On Saturday 16 September, a free Mann Sightseeing shuttle bus runs from The Bowl car park, Pulrose, to the festival, departing on the hour from 10am to 4pm and returning on the half hour. Many buses from the south of the Island also pass the Villa Marina Gardens.
There will be the chance to win a hamper of Isle of Man food and drink by filling in a visitor survey at/after the show.
For more information about the festival, visit www.gov.im/food, follow the festival on Facebook via Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival 2017, on Twitter and on Instagram.
