There’s never been a better way to sample and learn about traditional local cuisine, thanks to a new workshop designed to do just that, courtesy of Malta’s Mediterranean Culinary Academy (MCA).

Following the organisation’s ethos of using locally-sourced, sustainable and seasonal ingredients, the workshop, called Cooking and Culture in Valletta, promises to make you fall in love with Malta’s eclectic cuisine (because, erm, we’re head over heels already!)

“The idea is to give participants a snapshot of local cuisine, which has been developed over the years and tells the story of our history and location, as well as all the wonderful ingredients that make our dishes so special,” explains Robert Pace, the Chief Operations Officer at MCA.

Having launched its first courses in December last year, the MCA is the first educational establishment of its kind locally, and prides itself on being a product-driven food academy. With our wonderful capital city of Valletta as its base, the academy’s mission also extends to working with local suppliers who are respectful to the land and livestock, while using and safeguarding indigenous varieties of produce wherever possible.

And this latest workshop looks to be a winner, with participants being welcomed with homemade Maltese antipasti, as well as a glass of local sparkling wine made using the méthode champenoise (a process where the last state of fermentation is allowed to take place in the bottle) – a treat right from the very start!

The workshop itself will follow, starting with a short presentation about the ingredients’ journey to the table, and then the best part – the cooking! This will include the best way to cook and serve freshly-caught fish and seafood in the traditional Maltese way. Actually I lied, the best bit actually comes after that, when partakers will enjoy their labours of love, along with more wine made using locally-grown grape varieties.

“Our food says so much about who we are,” Mr Pace continues. “It is directly connected with our history, our tastes, our beliefs, and, of course, our position in the Mediterranean and neighbouring countries.”

Sure to make a wonderful addition to any trip to the islands, or help foreigners living in Malta gain insight into the cuisine of the region, Cooking and Culture in Valletta is more than just a fun afternoon – it’s a great way to explore Malta through taste!

For more information about Cooking and Culture in Valletta or the Mediterranean Culinary Academy, visit www.mcamalta.com