The successful combination of writing and cuisine that was Litfeast, introduced last year at the 2023 Isle of Wight Literary Festival, was put back in the oven for 2024 and proved to be a mouthwatering treat.    

With New Forest resident Helen McGinn, creator of The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club kicking things off with a special wine-tasting session on Thursday night, Litfeast dominated the Saturday schedule for the Northwood House festival.

There were sessions from food doctor and winner of MasterChef 2017, Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed; followed by blogger Elena Silcock who impressed with her take on the humble salad. 

Read more: Clare Balding and Susie Dent at Isle of Wight Literary Festival

Taking to the food stage in the mid-afternoon was local chef Matt Egan, former head chef at The Royal, Ventnor, and House, Cowes, now running the kitchen at The Garden.

Matt deftly prepared and served a delicious chicken dish whilst explaining his philosophy of local, quality ingredients.

Butcher Jordan from The Butcher Shop, Cowes, was alongside, preparing the birds for the chef with a running commentary on how to get the best out of a whole chicken - even finding time to give the crowd some advice on the best knives for butchery. 

House chef Matt EganChef Matt Egan (Image: Matthew Chatfield) From left: Massad Zaatar and Ibrahim ZantaFrom left: Massad Zaatar and Ibrahim Zanta (Image: Matthew Chatfield)

The last Litfeast session was an intriguing combination, with US fashion entrepreneur and social commentator Ibrahim Zanta telling captivating tales of his Yemani childhood alongside chef Massad Zaatar, from Beity Restaurant, Southampton.

Ibrahim described some of the food shown in 'Bittersweet - The Story of Food & Yemen' a book by three photographers recently published by Medina Books, whilst Mas prepared ful, a traditional and refreshing dish of beans and garlic.

The connection between Ibrahaim's insights into Yeman, the Lebanese food, and the book, was never fully explained.

However, at the end of it, the appreciative audience were full of questions for the presenters, and more importantly,  queuing for more of the delicious and wholesome bean stew.

This must surely be a sign that Litfeast, a popular addition to the Literary Festival, will be back in 2025.