The Algarve is a foodie paradise – the home of delicious shellfish plucked from the Ria Formosa estuary, Santa Luzia octopus, world-class Atlantic fish and bountiful fresh fruit and vegetables. There was a real buzz in Portugal’s most southerly region. The food scene never used to trouble the Michelin inspectors and the wines were almost a joke, with Cliff Richard among the local winemakers.