The International Love Festival happening this weekend has 98 confirmed guests.

The fifth annual festival is costing taxpayers $150,000.

Yesterday, the Department of Tourism denied claims made by a celebrity chef coming to the event that it was paying an "out of this world" figure to cook a meal for the Love Festival guests.

The Tennessee News at Nine website reported yesterday that Mr. Wells would be coming to the Island to cook for the Premier and his wife for the International Love Festival.

Initially Mr. Wells, who has been on the Food Network before, believed it was a joke but was intrigued when "they kept pursuing me".

The article added: "On the other end of the line was somebody claiming to be from Bermuda. The first lady had read about Wells' speciality of cooking for lovers, and hoped to hire him for their big Valentine's day dinner.

"So I just gave them an out-of-this-world number and they said 'OK, we're sending the contract over' and when I got it and then started researching it, I thought man, they must really be serious about this."

At 8 p.m. last night the Tennessee news website removed the comments from Mr. Wells regarding his payment and the alleged reaction. It is not known why it was removed but The Royal Gazette had made queries about the statement and Mrs. Brown's alleged role in hiring Mr. Wells to the Department yesterday afternoon.

Shortly before the quote was removed from the US website the Department told this newspaper Mr. Wells was not being paid to cook at the Love Festival.

A spokeswoman added: "The story that you have referred to was written by Mr. Wells' publicist and contains information that is not factual. The Love Festival weekend is hosted by the Premier and his wife Wanda Henton Brown. As hosts, they are invited to participate in planning, which may include reaching out to celebrity guests and/or participants, however, all negotiations for talent are handled by the Department or the contracted vendor.

"Mrs. Brown does not know nor has she ever had any contact with Jernard Wells. Although the piece is not entirely factual, it has generated publicity for the event and Bermuda. We do look forward to Chef Jernard Wells' participation at this weekend's Love Festival."