For seafood lovers, the hottest up and coming ticket in town is The Seafood Extravaganza, a night of fine dining and live music taking place during Port St Mary’s annual Queenie Festival. On Saturday 30 June, Port St Mary’s quayside will be transformed for the night by a grand marquee, where diners will be able to enjoy a delicious seafood feast prepared by top visiting chefs, followed by live music from popular band Skeet.

Queenies will of course feature on the menu which are prized for their subtle texture and flavour, and are increasingly finding their way onto the menus of celebrated restaurants in the UK. Once again, The Queenie Festival has invited a number of celebrated chefs – including Simon Wadham, Head Chef at London’s Rivington, Dave McCarthy, Head Chef of London’s Scotts, Pascal Proyart, Head Chef of London’s One o One, Marcus Verberne, Head Chef of London’s Roast and Mat Follas of The Wild Garlic in Dorset. Guests at the Seafood Extravaganza can enjoy a special chance to taste the fruits of their labour – along with those of popular local chefs, amongst the sumptuous fare on offer during the evening. All of these chef’s will be giving cooking demonstrations in the quayside food theatre over the festival weekend.

Guests at the event will receive champagne and a selection of delicate canapés upon arrival, followed by a fabulous seafood feast, dessert, cheeseboard and coffee and mints. Dancing shoes are advised for the second half of the evening when local band Skeet will take to the stage to perform a rousing set of non-stop popular covers spanning the ages. As well as wine lists to accompany dinner, there will be a bar open throughout the night.

Tickets for the event, which runs from 7pm till 11.45pm, are £50.00 per person, with seating on tables of ten; corporate tables can be easily arranged. Places are strictly limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis – call Tim Croft on 834494 or 495930 to reserve your place or table.

Rory Malone, teenage singer song writer from Tauranga, New Zealand will be taking to the stage as the first live act of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival this year.

Rory, somewhat of an up and coming star in New Zealand will kick off the Sure Beach Party start in what promises to be a great evening’s entertainment down on Port Erin Beach on Friday 29 June.

Rory who was born in Lincoln, England and moved to New Zealand when he was 4 years old. He lived in Masterton until he was 9 then moved up to Tauranga. Rory has become a well-known in the music scene in New Zealand and he moved to the UK in March to pursue his solo career.

His first taste of music was performing as the lead singer and song writer of A Kiss Goodbye. Over a five year period Rory had many memorable highlights. When he turned 16, A Kiss Goodbye opened for Panic at the Disco at the Vector Arena in Auckland. This was followed by a number of large gigs over subsequent years.

He is currently working on a new set especially for the festival audience. His song writing is influenced by artists including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, John Mayer, The Beatles, and Nevershoutnever. The new acoustic set promises to appeal to a wide age range.  His plan is to perform 100 gigs from John O’ Groats to Lands End!

The Sure Beach Party will take on the 29 June at Port Erin Beach between 6pm and 11pm and is free to everyone!

Pascal Proyart, head chef of one of the most highly acclaimed fish restaurants in London ‘One-o-one’ will be attending this year’s Isle of Man Queenie Festival.

Pascal will be cooking up a whole host of seafood delights including some superb French classics with a Manx twist during the Saturday and Sunday of the festival held on the quay in Port St Mary as part of the Relish cookery theater.

Pascal was born and raised in a similar size fishing village to Port St Mary, on the Brittany coast, where his family have been restaurateurs for three generations. His formal chef training began at "Les Sorbets" Hotel School in Noirmoutier where he remained for two years, before his military service in Africa.

Pascal then spent a decade working in a number of hotels and restaurants throughout Europe, with Yves Mattagnes and Jacques le Divellec at the two-star Michelin Sea Grill in Brussels and the two-star Michelin Le Divellec in Paris.

Amongst many of his accolades Pascal has won a number of catering industry awards including a "Trophée Lauffer Delta d'Or, and a Silver Plate from "Chaîne des Rôtisseurs" in 1996. He has also made a number of TV appearances on the BBC’S Celebrity Master Chef and The Good Food Channel’s Market Kitchen.

Pascal’s philosophy on cooking has always been to use the freshest fish and he shares a strong belief in sustainability.

Tim Croft, festival organiser commented, “It is fantastic that the Isle of Man Queenies festival now draws some of the world’s best chefs. When I spoke to Pascal and explained to him what the key messages of the festival were, including sustainability and conservation he couldn’t wait to put Queenies on his restaurant menu and also take part in the festival.”

The hugely popular Queenie Festival will once again be back between 29 June and 1 July, bringing its usual three days of fun entertainment, marine activities, local heritage and of course fantastic seafood! This year organisers are hoping that the public will help to make the fifth annual ‘celebration of the sea’ the best yet by getting involved or lending a hand.

A truly local, community event, the Isle of Man Queenie Festival showcases Manx produce, culture, wildlife and the Isle of Man’s beautiful seascape. As in previous years, the Friday evening ‘Sure Beach Party’ in Port Erin will kick off proceedings with live music and plenty of giveaways. Then the festival moves to Port St Mary harbour and Chapel Bay for a packed weekend programme for all ages and interests.

As well as favourite features such as the Trawler Race, chef cooking demonstrations and the Manx Mile Swim, there’ll be a host of things to see, do and sample, whether it’s a scuba try-out or a plate of delicious seafood cooked to order.

The festival organisers are inviting expressions of interest from anyone who would like to support the Queenie Festival, whether that is sponsorship of an individual element or by lending a hand with any aspect of the preparation and running of the festival.

Tim Croft, festival organiser commented, “The Queenie Festival has gone from strength to strength each year thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and all our volunteers. We’re now looking for people to help make sure that the 2012 event is our most successful yet.

“As well as the feel-good factor of supporting your local community and marine conservation, you’re guaranteed to have a great time getting into the festival spirit and enjoying the many attractions and events taking place”.

The Queenie Festival is also welcoming enquiries from stallholders – especially artists, craftspeople and local producers – and any bands, musicians or entertainers who are interested in performing live during the festival. It’s a great opportunity to play to a friendly crowd while supporting a 100% local initiative”.

To find out more about how you can get involved in Queenie Festival 2012, simply contact Tim Croft on 834494 or email timcroft@islandseafare.co.uk

Sure will be celebrating their Isle of Man 5^th birthday this year and as part of the celebrations they will once again be hosting a beach party in Port Erin as part of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival 2012.

The Sure Beach Party will be taking place on Friday 29 June under the fantastic backdrop of Bradda head, Port Erin beach will be transformed into a fun packed entertainment zone, this year with an Olympic flavour!

The evening will get underway at 6pm and promises a whole heap of fun with activities for everyone young and old, including the 2012 Beach Olympics!  There will be the usual favourites making an appearance with live music from several local bands, fun and games for the kids, the popular seafood BBQ and new for 2012 and omitted from the London games, ‘The Mackerel Dash’!  All of the entertainment is free of charge and the Sure team will be on hand with competitions and giveaways galore, so it promises to be a real celebration!

Kate Hegarty Marketing Manager of Sure commented “Over the years the beach party has been such a great community event especially for the south of the island and we are very proud to be associated with it once again!  It’s our fourth year sponsoring the event and our fifth year of being on the Isle of Man, so we want to make it a real celebration. We’ll be providing birthday cake for everyone, so there is even more reason to join in the fun this year!

The event marks the start of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival weekend. Following on from the beach party the event will move to Port St Mary where it will host the popular Marine Weekend taking place on Saturday and Sunday on the quayside.

Tim Croft, Queenie Festival organiser said, “We are extremely grateful for the support of Sure for the Port Erin Beach party again this year. Sure as a sponsor provide fantastic resources as well as financial assistance to enhance the event year on year.   We hope that as many people as possible come down to and join in the entertainment that will be laid on and have a great fun filled evening.”

Are you passionate about seafood? Do you have a flair for experimenting and creating your own dishes? If so, then you could take top honours at a Masterchef-style cook-off at the 2011 Queenie Festival (1st – 3rd July).

The festival organisers, together with the Isle of Man Seafood Development Partnership, are running a competition to find the best recipe featuring Manx Queenies, and are now encouraging the Island’s hidden culinary genuises to come forward!

With their subtle taste and succulent texture, Queenies (Queen Scallops) are a strong favourite with discerning chefs and seafood lovers far and wide. What’s more, as Manx Queenies are sustainably sourced, they leave a good taste in the mouth ethically, too.

So, to help celebrate its success, the festival wants to know your winning ways with the small but mighty scallop. From amongst the entries received, two finalists will be chosen to go head to head in a live cook-off at 4pm on Sunday, the closing day of the festival.

The judging panel consists of the renowned UK chefs and food experts who, as the festival’s very special guests, will also be giving talks and demonstrations over the weekend: Simon Wadham and Richard Kirkwood, Head Chefs at London’s Rivington and J. Sheekey respectively, and food writer/broadcaster Henrietta Green. Alastair Hamilton, head of the Seafood Development Partnership, will also be on the panel.

The judges’ final decision will be followed by a prize presentation, when the victor will claim a personalised trophy and £100 worth of Paddy’s seafood.

Sounds tempting? Entry forms are downloadable from the festival website here; alternatively, you can pick one up from Paddy’s The Quay in Port St Mary or Paddy’s at the Victoria Road, Douglas Shoprite.

The competition is open to people of all ages and abilities – the only essential is enthusiasm! In your entry, you must include: the name of your dish, full details of your methods and ingredients, and a photo of the finished dish. The recipe should take no more than thirty minutes to prepare. The closing date for entries is 20th June, at 3pm, so get cracking!

For seafood lovers, the hottest upcoming ticket in town is the Seafood Extravaganza, a night of fine dining and music taking place during Port St Mary’s annual Queenie Festival (1st – 3rd July 2011).

On Saturday 2nd July, Port St Mary’s quayside will be transformed for the night by a grand marquee, where diners will be able to enjoy a delicious seafood buffet prepared by acclaimed chefs, followed by ska sounds from popular local band Bunch Skankers.

Toast of the night – and naturally featuring on the menu – will be the delicious Manx Queenie (Queen Scallop), newly-crowned with a coveted industry award.

Last week, the Manx Queenie fishery was awarded a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate in recognition of good management and sustainability. The accreditation, which follows a 21-month assessment, shows the Island’s commitment to protecting Queen Scallop stocks for the future.

Over the last few years, Queenies have become one of the Isle of Man’s best-known exports; prized for their subtle texture and flavour, they are now finding their way onto the menus of top restaurants.

In celebration of this, the Queenie Festival has invited a number of high profile chefs and food connoisseurs – including Simon Wadham, Head Chef at London’s Rivington, and ‘Taste the Nation’ star Henrietta Green – to give demonstrations in the quayside food theatre during the weekend.

But guests at the Seafood Extravaganza will enjoy a special chance to taste the fruits of their labour, along with those of popular local chefs, amongst the sumptuous fare on offer during the evening.

Guests will receive a complementary glass of champagne and a selection of delicate canapes upon arrival, followed by a fabulous seafood buffet, dessert and cheeseboard. Diners should have their dancing shoes on standby for the second half of the evening, when Buncha Skankers will take to the stage to perform a rousing set of non-stop ska and reggae classics. The dress code for the evening – black and white ‘smart casual’ – gives ska fans the opportunity to go ‘Two Tone’ for the night. A list of hand-picked wines will be available, and there will be a bar open throughout the night.

Tickets for the event, which runs from 7pm ’til midnight, are £30.00 per person. Seating will be on tables of ten, and corporate tables can easily be arranged.

Places are limited, however, and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so call Tim Croft on (07624) 495930 as soon as possible to claim your ticket to what will be a very special evening.

The festival will kick off with the Off Sure beach party on Port Erin beach on the Friday evening. Food tents hosted by celebrity chefs, live music, marine activities, beach cricket and the Off Sure dip are some of the attractions.

Day Two commences with a Marine Day in Port St Mary, in and around Alfred Pier & Paddy’s Market. Live chefs, music, Trawler racing, Kayak racing and the Viking Manx Mile are amongst the events on show. In the evening there is the Herring Dance a ticket only event with live music, as well as some of the best cuisine this side of the Atlantic!

Completing the weekend on Sunday afternoon is the second part of the Marine Day. Manx scallop dancing, traditional Manx music, more live chef action & music round off a fine weekend.

More details to follow in the coming months…

The second annual Queenie Festival is now just around the corner, bringing a weekend of fun, inspiring and unusual events in the open air…

While the hoped-for sunshine and calm seas remain in the lap of the weather gods, what is certain is that from 9th – 11th July, there’ll be a packed schedule of things for people to see and do in Port Erin and Port St Mary. Following on from last year’s festival, there will be a great mixture of sea sports, Manx heritage, wildlife, live music, children’s entertainment and plenty of delicious, fresh food throughout the weekend.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll find Beside the Seaside next weekend:

Friday 9th July
The Sure Beach Party

To celebrate their Third Anniversary of business on the Isle of Man, Sure Mobile are throwing a giant beach party in Port Erin. Amongst the attractions will be a free running display, a volleyball tournament and a chance to try diving, snorkelling, kayaking, kite surfing and sailing. After working up an appetite, partygoers can feast on fresh seafood, salads and barbecue fare, then relax with a beer from Bushy’s Beach Bar and catch live music from The Heights and Carbon Frog. Youngsters can join in a treasure hunt and sandcastle competition, while everyone will enjoy the antics of the Fairly Famous Family.

Admission: FREE.

Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th July
Marine Weekend

All weekend, the beach and harbourside in Port St Mary will be alive with a host of attractions highlighting different aspects of our marine environment and history. The Manx Wildlife Trust will return with their popular touch tanks and marine lectures, while the history of Manx fishing will be brought to life through the dramatic re-enactments of ‘Fishing into the Past’. While the MV Karina takes people on a leisurely sail from Douglas to Port St Mary, a dozen fishing vessels will battle it out in the 2010 Trawler Race. On a course which takes in Poyll Vaaish, Scarlett and Perwick, the trawlers will compete for three titles: overall winner, best-dressed crew and best-dressed boat!

Hardy open water swimmers of all ages will take to the waves for the Manx Mile, a sporting challenge unique to the Queenie Festival, and there’ll be more chances to try out some sea-going sports. And in what is most definitely a first for the Isle of Man, Quintin Gill MHK will lead a band of fellow politicians and other notables in a ‘Scallop Dance’ down to the harbour from Mount Tabor, with scallop-adorned costumes and dance steps specially created for the occasion!

Throughout both days, there’ll be a dizzying array of food and drink for hungry festivalgoers, with the emphasis proudly on local producers.

Admission: £2 for adults, children free. Proceeds to the Manx Wildlife Trust.

Party Time – Yn Daunse n Skeddan

On Saturday night, ‘Yn Daunse n Skeddan’ (The Herring Dance) returns to the Stonefield at Ballacreggan Farm. DJ Pete West, The Heights and Soul Suspects will be providing the sounds and a fantastic atmosphere is guaranteed.

Tickets priced £12.50 are available now from Paddy’s The Quay (Port St Mary), Discover Diving (Port St Mary), The Bay Hotel (Port Erin) and 7th Wave (Port Erin). Alternatively, call Tim on 495930 or Lenny on 461245.

The Hunt for the Golden Queenie

After its runaway success in 2009, the hunt for the Golden Queenie returns! Who will win the race to find the £4,000 solid gold prize? The treasure hunt is being sponsored by Celtic Gold and Jimbo’s Ice Cream. The all-important clues, to be released on Friday 2nd July, will be published on the festival website and in the programme, which will be available from various news outlets and retailers, as well as Paddy’s The Quay in Port St Mary. Alternatively, pick up a copy of next week’s Isle of Man Examiner, where the clues will also be revealed!

For general festival information, call Tim Croft on 834494 or 495930.

The famous Herring Dance Yn Daunse n Skeddan is back this year yessir! With two bands rocking the tent under the names of The Heights and Soul Suspects.

Its happening in a tent in the Stonefield, Ballacreggan Farm, Port St Mary on Saturday 10 July with it all going off between  7.30pm and midnight. Last years gig was completly sold out so make sure you grab your tickets quick from Paddys on the quay Port St Mary, 7th Wave Port Erin and Celtic Gold Peel. Or call Or call Tim Croft on  495930 or Lenny Conroy   461245. Price is a mere £12.50 – not bad for two bands, a great venue, top Manx Queenies and licensed bar!

No tickets will be sold on the door!

Hurry quick before they sell out!