New treats at Masterton deli | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

As an ambassador of big tastes, life-loving chef Wayne DellaBarca is feeling right at home cooking up gastronomic goodies in the kitchen of his new European-themed Masterton deli.

Mr DellaBarca, pictured, opened his Queen Street deli Massa - named after the southern Italian town of Massa Lubrense, where his family hails from - at the start of the week after moving on from his successful Café Strada.

Customers have already been raving about his organic gelato, which he makes in colourful flavours from berry pavolva to watermelon.

"I wanted to do gelato because you can do so much with it. I want to make Christmas pudding gelato for Christmas, and we could do fruit gelato from whatever the fruit of the season is."

As well as gelato, Massa boasts a range of meats, cheeses, salads, soups and cabinet foods, as well as a good stock of spices, chocolates and condiments including around two-thirds of Wairarapa's olive oils.

"I want everything I have to make to have an impression. You don't have to have much of it, because it's more just about the flavour and the experience."

Mr DellaBarca is keen to further share his tasty creations through in-store catering and possibly teaching aspiring chefs.

"There's no end to the tale, really."