The winners of the 2025 Manx Menu contest, a celebration of the Isle of Man’s diverse range of chefs, mixologists, waiting-on staff, and producers, have been announced, with VIBE Plant Based Café winning in the Overall Award category.
The awards evening, proudly sponsored by Tesco, was held on 30 April at the Woodbourne House to celebrate the creativity and commitment to local produce shown by businesses across the Isle of Man’s hospitality and food & drink sectors. The evening featured a specially designed menu, created and served by the talented Catering, Hospitality & Food Services Students at University College Isle of Man.
Organised by Business Isle of Man and Visit Isle of Man, the Manx Menu competition ran from 14 February to 31 March, attracting over 100 entries from 57 businesses. Finalists were shortlisted through the nearly 2000 public votes received, with winners selected by a panel of independent judges.
Manx Menu 2025 winners:
- Manx Menu Overall Award: VIBE Plant Based Café
- Manx Menu Takeaway Award: Peel Fisheries Chippy
- Manx Menu Small Plate Award: Filbey’s Little Food Shack
- Manx Menu Large Plate Award: Little Fish Café
- Manx Menu Dessert Award: Just Jenny’s
- Manx Menu Cocktail Award: Kiki Lounge
- Manx Menu Customer Service Award: VIBE Plant Based Café
- Manx Menu Innovation Award: VIBE Plant Based Café
- Manx Menu Sustainability Award: Kiki Lounge
- Manx Menu Food Product of the Year: Lush Bakes
- Manx Menu Drink Product of the Year: Kerroo Brewing Company
Each winning business will receive marketing support to help further raise their profile, with a total prize fund of nearly £10,000 shared across the award categories.
Laura Mowat, owner of VIBE Plant Based Café, which won the Manx Menu Overall Award recognising their excellence in all four categories (small plate, large plate, dessert and speciality drink), commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition. The competition has been a brilliant platform to experiment with local ingredients, try new ideas, and connect with others across the sector. It is a real honour to be acknowledged in this way, and we are so proud of the team.”
Matt Berry, Manx Menu 2025 judge and Executive Chef at Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, added: “The standard of entries this year was incredibly high. What stood out was not only the skill and creativity on display, but the genuine care and pride in showcasing Manx produce. The Island has a food and drink scene to be proud of, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to grow.
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the entrants whose hard work, passion, and dedication is evident in every dish, drink, and product submitted.”
New to the 2025 competition, the shortlisted nominees for the Front of House Hero Award, part of the Manx Menu Customer Service category, were put to a public vote on Facebook. This new element of the competition sought to recognise the individuals whose dedication and customer service play a vital role in shaping the Island’s hospitality experience.
Front of House Heroes Award winners:
- Vinus – Pop-up Purple
- Büşra – Coast Bar & Brasserie
- Jess – Filbey’s Little Food Shack
