Achievements by restaurateurs and accommodation providers were recognised recently at the 2015 Taste Awards and Tourism Accolades event.

David Cretney MLC, the Department’s Member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport presented the awards. He said:

‘I would like to thank and congratulate all the award winners for their high standards of service and the tremendous effort they put into their businesses.

‘The Visitor Economy is very important for the Isle of Man. It is a source of many jobs and the quality of our accommodation and eateries is a key factor in attracting new residents, as well as tourists, to the Island.’

The Highest Quality Assured, Quality Assured and Harvest Scheme Taste awards are presented to food and drink establishments and Silver, Gold and Breakfast accolades to Accommodation providers.

There were 50 food and drink establishments recognised with 24 being awarded ‘Highest Quality Assured’ with 18 Gold and 8 Silver accolades were awarded to accommodation providers.

9 of the accolades were awarded to properties which were registered and inspected for the first time in 2015 reflecting the continuing new investment into the sector.

This year there were 10 recipients of Harvest accolade. The Department continues to work with the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture to ensure that the Harvest accolade is awarded to real champions of local produce who work very hard to source and promote this an important part of their business ethos.

Additionally the event saw the launch of the new Harvest Breakfast award and three Welcome Schemes for Taste Isle of Man venues: Walkers, Cyclists and Dogs Welcome.

The 2015-16 Taste Isle of Man Directory has now been published and 15,000 copies are being distributed Island-wide. Copies can also be downloaded from www.visitislofman.com/taste, collected from a Taste accredited venue, a range of visitor attractions or from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Photo - the winners of the Taste Highest Quality Assured Award (left to right) Ian & Angela McCluskey, David Cretney MHK, Vicky Crellin, Michelle De Lima, Stewart Dillon, David Codinha, Jean-Pierre Giuliani, Phil Taylor, Jimmy Ashworth & Mario Ciappelli.