IT was a weekend of triumph for Jersey on the sporting front.

In addition, an Islander demonstrated in the finest fashion that his culinary skills are more than a cut above the ordinary and that Island produce hits the spot with finely tuned palates.

The sporting successes came on the rugby pitch, where the Jersey XV beat Guernsey in the Siam Cup by an impressive 36 points to six, and in the men’s and women’s Murattis.

Both football matches were won by only a single goal, but the narrow margin of the victories matters not at all. The weekend clean sweep was deserved and is a credit to all the players, coaches and loyal supporters whose efforts made it possible.
Congratulations to all the Islanders whose efforts have helped to lift our spirits in this way.

Meanwhile, the culinary excellence was demonstrated – during a week-long contest – by Bohemia chef Shaun Rankin. Competing against Cornish restaurateur and chef Nathan Outlaw in the South-west heat of BBC’s Great British Menu, he took the honours and will now go forward to the finals.

Success there will see his food served at a dinner for British servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan.

With a Michelin star to his credit, Mr Rankin is obviously in the top echelons of international cuisine, but the Great British Menu is a stern test of anyone’s ability to function under pressure. It can, as well, be a severe test of temperament, and our representative proved that he not only has a sense of humour but also an open and generous nature, as evidenced by his attitude to his opponent as they strove to outdo each other.

His judge-pleasing creations included a treacle tart topped by ice-cream made from clotted Jersey cream, Jersey lobster, crab and scallops, and a pork dish accompanied by Jersey Royals. All these ingredients were praised by the panel, whose members were author and chef Prue Leith, food writer Matthew Fort and restaurateur Oliver Peyton.

Mr Rankin’s win will without doubt enhance the Island’s reputation as a centre of culinary excellence. His choice of ingredients and the judges’ opinions of them will, in the meantime, help to remind people throughout Britain that our produce is second to none.

On both counts, publicity of this quality is simply beyond price. No marketing budget conceivable in this Island is ever going to be large enough to secure prime-time television slots for five consecutive nights.

Well done, Mr Rankin, and thank you very much indeed for your first-class achievement.