The eighth Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival promises to be the biggest and best yet.
The popular festival takes place at the Villa Marina Gardens on Saturday 17 September (10am to 9pm) and Sunday 18 September (10am to 5pm). Its gold sponsor is kitchen specialist Magnet (IOM) Ltd.
The event showcases the wonderful array of produce grown, reared, brewed, baked and manufactured in the Isle of Man and caught in its waters. Last year, it attracted more than 7,000 visitors and won an Isle of Man Newspapers’ Award for Excellence.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
‘The festival is a celebration of our high quality, tasty, varied local produce.
‘There is a real energy behind Isle of Man food and drink at present and, as well as the foodstuffs we are renowned for, there are innovative new products being created all the time.
‘The event offers the chance to sample and buy Isle of Man food and drink, meet producers, watch cookery demonstrations, learn from some of the Island’s top chefs and enjoy lunch, a drink and entertainment, all in the lovely surroundings of the Villa gardens.
‘This year there are even more live events in the Manx Cookery Theatre, stalls, attractions, venues to eat and drink, activities for children and music.
‘It will be the second year we have extended the festival to 9pm on the Saturday and the evening will feature a host of additional attractions, eating choices and live music.
‘The festival promises to be a great weekend out for all the family.’
Special guest at the festival is Gareth Wyn Jones, a Welsh hill farmer who has become a TV celebrity through appearances on such programmes as ‘The Hill Farm’, ‘The Farmer and the Food Chain’ and ‘Come Dine With Me’.
On the Saturday, he will judge a barista coffee-making competition compered by TT star and Coffee Mann owner Conor Cummins, conduct a lunchtime meet and greet session with festival-goers and demonstrate his own culinary skills using Manx lamb from BallaKarran Meat Company.
He will also meet producers and exhibitors.
On the Sunday, along with Minister Ronan and Steve Farrell, Director of Magnet (IOM) Ltd, Gareth will select the best stand at the festival.
He’ll judge the Isle of Man Chef of the Year and Student Chef of the Year competitions and will take part in a live version of Ready, Steady Cook, where he will be up against Manx Radio presenter Alex Brindley to create a dish from a mystery box of ingredients provided by Robinson’s.
Tickets for the festival cost just £3 (day) and £5 (weekend) for adults, with admission free for under 16s.
Tickets can be booked via www.villagaiety.com
There will be further announcements about the packed festival programme.
For more information about the festival, visit www.gov.im/food, follow the festival on Facebook via Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival 2016 and on Twitter @iomfoodanddrink.
On Saturday 17 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 Bus Vannin services from the south of the Island also pass the Villa Marina Gardens.
