A Manx-born chef who has made himself known around the globe for his culinary prowess is set to judge dishes at the 2018 Food and Drink Festival.

Colin Clague of the Dubai-based restaurant Rüya, which has just opened up a London branch this year, is looking forward to being on the festival’s panel for the Isle of Man Chef of the Year and Student Chef of the Year competitions.

The chef, who is originally from Ballabeg, previously cooked up delights at the Manx festival in 2015.

As this year’s festival is collecting people’s votes of their favourite Manx ingredient, Colin gave his views.

’The dairy, such as the cheese, is fantastic,’ he said.

’And loughtan meat is to die for!

’I would like to serve that up in the restaurants, but because of the quantity that I would have to use it wouldn’t be possible.

’Also, kippers I adore. Everyone loves them. You’re not Manx if you don’t!

He added: ’The Isle of Man is the most beautiful place in the world and the ingredients are very special for a small island.’

Colin told the Manx Independent that the island gave him the ’best foundations’ to help him get to where he is today.

His interest in cuisine was heightened while working as a bottle washer and kitchen porter at Ocean Castle in Port Erin and Port Erin Royal Hotel, which have since been demolished or turned into accommodation.

Award-winning

He later went on to study catering at the Isle of Man College before taking a chance in London.

He said: ’When I was really, really young I didn’t have any issues moving to London.

’I always knew I wanted to travel and wanted to see the world and wanted to be a chef.

’You work very hard and then you get offered a job.’

Over the years Colin has worked with the award-winning Japanese restaurants Zuma, based in London and Dubai, as well as Burj Al Arab in Dubai and a number of other top restaurants which have taken him all over the world.

He then moved on to Rüya, a restaurant that specialises in Turkish cuisine which has been created by the team behind Coya, Zuma and Nusr-et.

’I have been working with Rüya for over two years, so from conceptual to new.

’For 10 years I was doing Japanese food, three years middle eastern food and now I’m doing Turkish food.

’I took two months and went all around Turkey, to the Syrian border, you name it. Turkey is so big. I came back and tried to replicate these dishes.

’It’s going very, very well.

’Within a few weeks of opening the London restaurant we had celebrities such as Tommy Hilfiger and members of the Arsenal team, including the manager, come in.

’Last year I was named in the top 300 Best Chef Awards.

’It got printed out and there were names from Japan, Australia, France... but to see the Isle of Man there was very special.’

Despite all his success abroad, Colin still remains true to his Manx roots and tries to visit the island whenever he finds a break within his busy schedule.

’My parents and brother live there. I still have a house in the island and go back as much as I can. ’Now that we have a restaurant open in London I can visit home more often.

’Although I haven’t seen my friends in years, I still stay in contact with them. It keeps my feet on the ground.’

The Food and Drink Festival will be taking place from September 15 to 16.

For more details, search: www.iomfoodanddrink.com/festival/ or see this week’s Isle of Man Examiner.