Feature writer Mattie Lacey-Davidson takes a foodie tour to discover where to go this weekend in Watford Food and Drink Week...

There are only a few days left of Watford’s first ever Food and Drink Week, which has made endless offers, freebies and masterclasses available day and night.

I went out and about on Tuesday afternoon to try and few things and meet the people behind the event.

To kick things off I met with Nardo Rastelli, 54, who runs the Italian restaurant Zinco in The Parade.

Nardo was born in Italy, and moved over to the UK when he was four, eventually settling in Berkhamsted with his family.

He is the third generation of caterers and because his mother was so busy at work he explains: “I grew up with my grandmother and Italian grandmothers are always in the kitchen. I learnt with her and went onto more professional things in Italy and here.”

The restaurant is family run, with monthly specials often featuring his grandmother’s traditional recipes.

“We purchase a lot of our gear directly from Italy,” he tells me. “We’re three generations of caterers. I think we’re very individualistic and we keep as fresh and current as possible. We go back and forth, four or five times a year. We deal mainly with small suppliers.”

Nardo is offering 15 per cent off any pizza or calzone until the week finishes on October 1, simply show the brochure or website to redeem the offer.

Watford Observer:

Second on the agenda was to head over to Little Waitrose to join in with their wine tasting. They were handing out samples of their own brand Pinot Grigio, which evens sells in a handy half sized bottle.

Lucy Chapman was on hand to tell people about the wine and despite mentioning some had thought the wine to be a little tart, I found it crisp and light – a versatile accompaniment to food.

Next I made my way to Bella Italia in the High Street for a Gelato tasting – in retrospect I should have done this after the subsequent pizza tasting, never mind.

I haven’t visited the restaurant before, but plan to return next week to try out their new menu and unusual spritz offering. I had no idea that, like many in many traditional Italian restaurants, you can go in a simply buy a Gelato. Its shame summer has ended.

Watford Observer:

All week they have a special discount of two courses for £10, or three for £15.

My pizza tasting then took place at Zizzi Watford in King Street, who are offering 20 per cent off all week if you have the brochure. I was a little early and so had the rare opportunity to throw on an apron and hat and join the chef in the kitchen.

I watched him make a couple of half and half pizzas ready for the first arrivals, and discovered it was surprisingly hard to get the raw pizza onto the peel (the flat shovel/spatula instrument they use) and place into the oven.

Watford Observer:

I was then further taken aback to discover the high temperature of their massive oven cooks pizzas in mere minutes. As people began to pile in for the free tasting I quickly scoffed a slice before leaving them to it and continuing to Gibson’s butchers.

In a bid to keep current and attract new customers, Mick Chapman and his team have created a pork and prosecco sausage. Due to the changes happening I was told that their regular customers don’t come so often and so they hope Watford Food and Drink Week will enlighten people to the fact they do home deliveries, with special offers on this week.

Watford Observer:

As the afternoon turned to evening I made my way to Steinbeck & Shaw for a little private masterclass and cocktail tasting before the main event.

New to their offering is a range of cocktails inspired by the cereal selection boxes many will remember.

One of these, Show me the Monkey, is on offer at £4 all week, alongside a free cocktail when you show the brochure and daily cocktail tastings between 5pm and 7pm.

I was tentative to try the chocolate concoction, which I made with rum, chocolates baileys and a couple of other liqueurs, mixed together with actual coco pops and served in a little box!

Watford Observer:

It was very sweet, but very moreish, just beware of the coco pops getting stuck in the straw.

Top deals this weekend:

Marks & Spencer

Sample a range of their new seasonal products today and tomorrow, between 12-2pm.

Watford Colosseum

Book four tickets for the Hell’s Kitchen Murder Mystery Dining Event (Oct 20) during the Watford Food & Drink Week and receive a free bottle of wine for your table.

Popes Yard Brewery

Head to the LP Café on Saturday at 2pm where Watford brewery Popes Yard will be running a pop up bar. Enjoy DJ’s, live music from local band Callaine and get to sample a range of locally produced beers and ales.

Bar Bodega

Get a FREE cheese board for two to share when you purchase any bottle of red wine during Watford Food & Drink Week.

Enjoy two delicious Cuban Django cocktails for only £10.

Visit on Sunday to enjoy complimentary carafe of wine and side dish when two of you order their Sunday roast.

The Horns

Head over for their Sunday lunch where kids eat free with a paying adult.

See all offers at watfordforyou.org