Isle of Man Food Producers’ Showcase

The Chefs’ Forum was delighted to support with hosting a special event at The Museum of London Docklands on the 26th March to showcase the best of Isle of Man food and drink. Hosted by Business Isle of Man, an Executive Agency with the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise, the event was in the same location where a series of Dragon’s Den was once filmed.

Minister for Enterprise, Tim Johnston, Member of the House of Keys, welcomed guests to the showcase where an array of canapés, cocktails and Manx food and drink producers awaited. The Chefs’ Forum invited global chefs, suppliers and industry influencers to the evening party which was a great success. Of special mention is the Island’s unique status as the world’s only entire nation biosphere and how the producers from the Island pledge to support and preserve this unique status.

Tim Johnston MHK said:

‘The Evening Showcase provided a great platform for Manx food and drink exporters. We were extremely pleased to welcome so many notable guests to our event and the level of interest in the Isle of Man and Manx produce was both heartening and motivational for the businesses involved.’

On display in the form of exquisite eats were the famous Manx Queen scallops. These were both pan-fried and served as a ceviche.

Nick Pledger, Business Development Manager at Island Seafare said:

“It was great to come to London and showcase our seafood to a fantastic range of chefs and foodservice suppliers.  Our famous Manx Queen Scallops were beautifully pan-fried and were also served as a Ceviche.  Our Manx crab salad also proved extremely popular and we’re really excited about forging a supply chain to top chefs across London and beyond.”

Other highlights created by top tier event caterer, Bovingdons Catering, were the small plates served, including a cheese soufflé with cheese from The Isle of Man Creamery. The Biosphere burger and lamb bon bons from the award winning Isle of Man Meats, famous Manx Queenie scallops served two ways – Pan-fried and Ceviche, as well as a crab salad from Island Seafare. Cocktails were mixed to great acclaim from gin and rum supplied by The Fynoderee Distillery and Outlier Distilling Company. Beer was from Okell’s Brewery, including recent award-winning alcohol free pale ale, Zero and salt from Isle of Man Salt Co.

Isle of Man Salt Co spokesperson, Helen Crosbie said:

Helen Crosbie

“Truly honoured to have been part of this event hosted by Business Isle of Man. It was an evening full of positive conversations and wonderful food showcasing the Isle of Man’s incredible food and drink producers. It was great to have the chance to chat all things export and business development with everyone in the beautiful Museum of London Docklands/Dragon’s Den studio.”

An exquisite Isle of Man Creamery cheese board and Luxury Manx Ice creams from Davison’s completed the evening’s delicious menu.

MasterChef: The Professionals Finalist, Exose Grant said:

“The Manx Queenies were outstanding and paired well with the other ingredients, it was great to have the scallops served two ways to showcase their versatility. The lamb bon bon was tasty and had a great mouth feel, the souffle was light and fluffy and the burger was delicious. The crab salad was fresh and flavourful, I could’ve eaten more and more!”

On the menu:

Spencer Jones, Head of Sales from Ritter Courivaud, a trained chef who cooked at Michelin level was also really really impressed with the produce, said:

“We’re always on the lookout for new and special producers to add to our range. The delicious and faultless canapés produced by the talented Bovingdons chefs really showcased the Manx producers in the way they deserved. The crab salad for me was a true star of the show with the fresh scallop dishes and mini beef slider coming so close, that I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite. My Director of Food, Wayne Haukman and I were also blown away by the cheeses from the Isles of Man Creamery and will definitely be continuing discussions re: supply- Huge congratulations on a fantastic event to all concerned.”

Manx Cocktails served by award-winning Manx mixologist Drew Fleming from Extra Fancy

Catherine Farinha, Director of The Chefs’ Forum, said:

“Because of our unique reach into global chef networks we were able to invite a true cross-section of culinary artists and this worked really well. Everyone enjoyed the range of ingredients and tastes that the Isle of Man has to offer and it was clear that kitchens across London and the UK will benefit from including them in future menus.”

Luciana Berry, Top Chef Brasil Winner, said:

It was real pleasure to be at the Isle of Man showcase, I discovered a new world of ingredients. Their rum was something very spectacular, used to make Manx Daiquiri. Absolutely stunning! The pan fried scallops served with the cauliflower puree was very smooth and delicate – A very elegant and delicious way to start. The crab salad was so fresh, I couldn’t stop eating it. It paired very well with the Gorse Reviver cocktail made with their gin and triple sec. Very well balanced.

I love seafood and to have this amazing and fresh seafood was incredible. Also the cheese was incredible. I love the smoked oak cheese with peppercorn.”