The first gastronomic festival "Delicious Kalmykia" will be held in Elista on September 16, the "Interfax-South" agency was informed by the regional ministry of culture and tourism.

      There will be three thematic venues at the festival - Kalmyk Tea, Bortsy (fried dough products) and Tasty Kalmykia. Visitors with help to determine the best catering companies in two categories - "Cold Snack" and "Hot dish". The winners of the festival will be awarded with diplomas and valuable prizes. The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic with the assistance of the Elista administration, the Kalmyk Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the republican trade and technology college.

      The festival is held to preserve culinary national traditions, increase the level of professional skills and culture of service in the catering sector, the ministry noted.