So you thought a dinner party was daunting

Too many cooks are said to spoil the broth, so Italian chef Mario Rovizzoli kept a hawk's eye on his small army of helpers to ensure this did not happen in Vittoriosa yesterday evening.

While all chefs take pride in the culinary delights they whip up, Mr Rovizzoli was going a step further - feeding about 3,000 people from the same giant pan.

In the end, it was a case of everyone stirring in the same direction as a good number of students from the Institute of Tourism Studies took it in turns to mix the piping hot risotto in the record-breaking maxi pentolone that is taking pride of place at this weekend's Birgufest.

So what does it take to feed 3,000 people?

Yesterday's mammoth recipe included 300 kilograms of rice, 60 kilograms vegetables, 40 kilograms Grana Padano, 120 litres of white wine and 90 kilograms of luganega sausage (a Northern Italy speciality).

The recipe was explained by John Galea, from events management company Execor, which brought the pan to Malta.

It took almost all day to get the risotto feast - sold at €3 a plate, with two-thirds of proceeds going to Dar tal-Providenza, in Siġġiewi - ready, with preparations starting in the morning. A larger-than-usual pot was used to prepare the broth for the risotto, which had to simmer for some five hours.

Aspiring chef Gerald Spiteri stood on his toes to stir the vegetables and meat as the fire burned and the cauldron bubbled. The broth was later transferred to the jumbo pan together with the rice and fried onions to complete the mega meal.

While preparations for the extra-large risotto were in full swing, Vittoriosa was buzzing with activity, with the morning seeing 2,500-odd pupils roaming around the city's usually-quiet streets, mingling with tourists and probably getting in the way of Vittoriosa mayor John Boxall, who was rushing around overseeing the final touches being made.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina said taking pupils to such cultural events was the best way to teach them.

In an alleyway, two knights drew their rapiers and challenged each other to a duel, something which was forbidden in the 17th century. But for a young knight, this alley fight was a necessity after the other forgot his vows of chastity and harassed an għonnella-clad woman.

The Auberge de France was also busy with students going in and out, exclaiming at the artisan works prepared by locals, including a model of the clock tower, which is being rebuilt in the square.

The Birgufest continues this afternoon with re-enactments and dramatisations, concerts and an evening by candlelight as the city's lights are switched off.