Darren Woods from Douglas restaurant 14North won Chef of the Year after cooking up a treat in front of an audience at the Food and Drink Festival at the weekend.

The final saw Darren along with Zaneta Krol from Haworths showcase Manx ingredients while cooking under time pressure in a marquee at the festival.

Judges chef Colin Clague, Food Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK and Paul Caisley, from competition sponsor Robinson’s, awarded Darren the title after tasting his dish of stuffed courgette flowers with white crab, yoghurt, sunflower seed granola, and ricotta.

He won a number of placements in top London restaurants, co-ordinated by Mr Clague, aimed at expanding Darren’s knowledge and experience in professional Michelin-starred restaurants.

Mr Clague said both chefs displayed great skill and confidence and it had been difficult to choose a winner. And he said the competition demonstrated how Manx produce could be put to imaginative use to create varied dishes.

Meanwhile, Louise Thomas, who works at Peel Promenade Kiosk, was awarded the Student Chef of the Year and took home a trophy and £250 after impressing with her dish of locally-caught callig, Manx queenies, chorizo, fine beans and a white wine butter sauce.

She was up against Charles Hudson of Comis at Mount Murray, who cooked Manx duck breast, potato galettes, herb salsa, squash, and wilted greens.

Both Louise and Charles learned their trade at University College Isle of Man (UCM) and qualified for the final through heats held at UCM.

See the finalists’ recipes at www.gov.im/food.