Mediterranean style chicken flambé prepared by Ta’ Nenu artisan bakers.

It is not just wine drinkers who will be happy at this weekend’s Delicata Classic Wine Festival, but food lovers will also have a lot to be cheerful about.

Whereas the 20+ different wines made from a wide range of locally-grown grape varieties will provide budding wine enthusiasts with enough to ‘sip and slurp’ their way through, likewise a varied range of culinary delights will be on offer for serious ‘foodies’ to enjoy!

The food areas at the Delicata wine festival basically fall into four categories. In the Upper Barrakka Gardens there is a Maltese & Mediterranean food area, an international cuisine sector and a platters counter, whereas down in the saluting battery there will be a fully-seated restaurant area where diners can enjoy a Mediterranean grill buffet overlooking Grand Harbour and the floodlit Three Cities beyond.

Here is a complete list of the delicious food items on offer, together with a recommended wine for those ‘gastronauts’ who would like to pair up their food with the (appropriate) wine.

In the Maltese & Mediterranean area, the food is prepared by Ta’ Nenu & Maypole and consists of:

• A duo of suckling pig & leg of pork and Maltese baked potatoes (Gran Cavalier Syrah);

• Lamb koftas and chicken kebabs with couscous and marinated cabbage (Maltese Falcon Merlot and Hauteville Viognier );

• Fresh gnocchi with mushrooms and pancetta (Pjazza Regina red);

• Stringozzi pasta with a rich rabbit, tomato and thyme jus (Medina red Gellewza);

• Paella (Gran Cavalier Chardonnay);

• Assorted pizzas (Pjazza Regina); and

• A selection of kannoli with assorted fillings (Classic Collection Casella Moscato).

At the international food sector there will be:

• Sushi platters (Medina Vermentino Zibibbo);

• Bami goreng noodles with chicken (Maltese Falcon Chardonnay); and

• Phad Thai noodles with prawns (Cavalli Sauvignon Blanc) expertly prepared by Zest.

Shivas the Indian restaurant will be cooking an Indian starter and a Indian combo starter (Pjazza Regina) and three main courses:

• Chicken korma (Dolcino Bianco);

• Chicken tikka masala (Maltese Falcon Rose); and

• Beef madras (Victoria Heights Cabernet Sauvignon), all served with pilau rice and naan bread.

Over on the platters counter, PJ Sutters – the speciality food importer – in collaboration with Experia – the deli – will be selling a range of three platters:

• A mixed cheese platter with grapes, nuts, galletti and chutney (Gran Cavalier Syrah);

• An Italian platter consisting of a mix of Italian cold cuts and cheese served with grapes, nuts, galletti and fresh olives (Hauteville Cabernet Sauvignon); and

• A Maltese platter with bigilla, Maltese sausage, mixed olives, peppered cheese, ġbejniet t’Għawdex (Gozo cheeselets) and sun-dried tomatoes (Gran Cavalier Chardonnay).

Downstairs in the saluting battery, from 7.15pm until 10.45pm (last orders) for €36 per person, diners can sit and enjoy a Mediterranean grill buffet dinner expertly prepared by Island Caterers today, tomorrow andon Sunday. Each night the menu consists of a plated first course, a varied selection of items from the grill counter, a choice of desserts and a half bottle of Medina (Syrah, Chardonnay Girgentina or Grenache Cabernet Rose) per person.

Tables can be booked on the night at the restaurant or you can book in advance, which is highly recommended, by contacting Island Caterers on 2143 3268 or e-mail events@islandcaterers.com.mt.