Tasty fresh local produce proved the recipe for success in the prestigious Chef of the Year and Student Chef of the Year competitions, sponsored by Robinson’s.

James Stubbs from The Courthouse and Jean-Pierre Giuliani from Jean-Pierre’s Bistro won through to the Chef of the Year final from the heats, held at the Isle of Man Queenie Festival yesterday (Sunday).

Chris Franklin, Chef Lecturer at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, Janna Horsthuis, a Director of Robinson’s and Audrey Fowler, Marketing Officer with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), were the judges for the Chef of the Year competition.

They selected James’ dish of Manx lamb’s liver, sauteed kale, beetroot croquette and vegetable crisps and Jean-Pierre’s dish of roast Manx tenderloin of pork filled with apple stuffing, drizzled with cider cream sauce with runner beans a la Francaise to make the final.

Narrowly missing out was Cye Maddocks from Haworth’s Restaurant, who created a lobster and salmon ravioli with a queenie chowder.

The line-up for the final of the first Student Chef of the Year Award is also known after yesterday’s semi-finals.

Nicole Crawley, with her unique take on Manx lamb broth, and Dominik Woloszyk, with a zesty grilled trout with potato and egg ravioli, will go head to head for the title.

Both are NVQ level 3 students at the College and work part-time at Barbary Coast.

Pipped to a place in the final were Maria Eduardo (fillet steak with crab fritter and creamed potato) and Tyler Livesey (queenie tortellini with asparagus and Manx Spirit sauce).

Roy Macfarlane, from Macfarlane’s restaurant in Douglas, replaced Mr Franklin on the judging panel for the student competition.
All seven chefs had 35 minutes to create their culinary masterpieces, with the pressure of a live audience. The dishes were judged on local content, taste and presentation.

Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘Eating out is important to our economy as it boosts business, visitor numbers and quality of life for those of us who live here.

‘The Chef of the Year and new Student Chef of the Year competitions are a showcase for the wonderful array of local fish, meat, vegetables and other produce that can be enjoyed in our hotels, restaurants and cafes.

‘All the chefs showed what can be achieved with high quality local produce, skill and imagination.’

The finals of the competitions on Sunday 20th September at 11am and 1pm are among the highlights of the two-day Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, being held in the Villa Marina Gardens (19th/20th September).

The judges putting finalists to the taste test will be the Minister, top international chef Colin Clague, who is the guest chef at the festival, and Janna Horsthuis.

The Chef of the Year will receive ?500 cash and an engraved plaque, plus ?500 for their establishment to spend on advertising. The Student Chef of the Year will win ?250 and a trophy.

Janna said: ‘We are pleased to support both the Isle of Man Chef of the Year and the Student Chef of the Year competitions, as we work closely with the Island’s catering sector, supplying high-quality local produce to chefs. The finalists have produced some innovative and tasty dishes and we look forward to seeing them in the finals.’

The finalists’ recipes will feature on www.gov.im/food ahead of the festival.

Photo - Student Chief of the Year judging.