The Fourth Annual Southern Delaware Wine and Food Festival was held Sept. 29 at the Independence Clubhouse. The event was a fundraiser for Children & Families First and the Delaware Boys & Girls Club. The festival featured music, 20 area restaurants, 50 varieties of beer and wine, spirits and a silent auction. This very popular event drew 600-plus guests to sample the wine and food pairings.

Before the rooms at Independence were full of guests, event Chair Stacy LaMotta paused for a photo with Manfredo San Bonfacio, a wine maker from Tuscany.

Ray Kurz of Cuvée Ray Wine Bar Restaurant in Rehoboth holds a wine tasting where he paired wine and music.

The Electric Velvet duo of Anthony and Kristin Carmen entertained festival-goers throughout the day.

Ready to enjoy a pairing of Cultured Pearl Maki Sushi and Hess Panthera Chardonnay are Raven Harris, left, and Nicole Scott.

Chef Lion Gardner from Blue Moon holds a pastry that was paired with an Aperol Spirit cocktail. Shown with Gardner are Stephanie Hawke and Jamie Bossard from Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits.

Fred Teuscher from Rehoboth Beach has JD Shuckers oysters paired up with La Cana Albarino Spanish wine.

Jayson Saldonna, left, and Carlos Rubio from Bluecoast Seafood Grill and Rawbar had their Delmarva Tuna Poke paired with Ferrari Carano Chardonnay and Meiomi Pinot Noir held by Melissa Hulihan from Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits.

Sarah Gilmour, left, and Debbie Widdoes hold a pairing from Po’ Boys Creole and Fresh Catch Gumbo and Bogle Pinot Noir from Vintage Imports.

Jessica Janssen from Bacchus Imports and Chris Bisaha from Blue Hen show their paring of Primatera Pinot Grigio and lobster curried deviled eggs.

Samantha Misner, left, and Annie Tingle from Jack Daniels stayed busy mixing Jack Daniels Rye cocktails.

The Team Chef Showdown pitted Lewes chefs against Rehoboth chefs with specific ingredients. The Lewes chefs had a few minutes to plan their strategy before being separated with no communication. Shown conferring are (l-r) Chef Maaurice Catlett from Matt’s Fish Camp, Chef Ryan Cunningham from Bonz in Harrington, and chef and team Captain Matthew Kern from Heirloom.