Though I had never visited Jersey before, I had certainly eaten plenty of its food. I am referring not just to Jersey Royal potatoes, which for so long have signalled the approach to our British (brutish?) summer, but to the excellent fish and seafood that is exported from the island.

A lot of it is bought by Oxford’s Mogford group of restaurants – Gee’s, Quod at the Old Bank, and the Old Parsonage – whose operations director Marie Jackson is a Jersey islander. Supplies come from the Jersey-based Fresh Fish Company, run by Marie’s brother Louis.

Before leaving the island on Saturday, I went to see him at his headquarters at Victoria Pier, St Helier, where he and his team were hard at work, preparing lobsters and crabs. They pick at least 100lb of crab meat a day, all from crabs caught in local waters. Louis sent me on my way with a goodie box containing bags of crab meat and two whole lobsters, which provided me with a marvellous reminder of the island when eaten the next day.

In a few days time, the Mogford restaurants are launching a prize draw to send two of their customers on a Jersey trip. The prize is a two-night stay at the luxury Royal Yacht Hotel, overlooking St Helier Harbour, with mountains of fresh seafood to eat and passes to visit top attractions.

Pick up details from Quod, Gee’s or The Old Parsonage. Alternatively, email gees@enewsworks.co.uk.

For information about Oxford flights to Jersey with Discover Jersey visit www.discoverjersey.com or phone 0844 415 6653.