Master Chef Professional Final (UK)

Finals week started with a bang as fans still mourn over the loss of Matt Campbell, private chef and brilliant innovator.

So who is this Matt Campbell,  you ask? Well here is a quick recap; he's a 28yr old private chef from the Lake District, Scotland. After finishing second on BBC's Young Chef of the Year competition in 2009 he decided to leave the UK,  pursue a job in the French Alps and later on decided to become a private chef. Matt has gained influence in his cooking skills from all around the world. He spent eight years travelling the world and has put his culinary skills to good use across Europe, in private villas along the Cote d'Azur, bespoke culinary courses in India & Thailand and award winning luxury ski chalets. He was truly a high contender as Masterchef winner and will always be remembered as the chef who had the guts to make a vegan dish during semi-finals week.

Moving on to the Masterchef Finals, four chefs remain and only one can earn the title as Master Chef Champion. The four chefs still in the competition are Jamie Park, Craig Johnston, Louisa Ellis and Steven Lickley, all very promising chefs with brilliant ideas.

Left to right: Jamie, Louisa, Steven, Craig

In the first heat of the finals, the four contenders had to impress the crème de la crème of the culinary world. In true Masterchef style, they were thrown into a high pressure round where they each had the honour of cooking one course for a room full of Michelin starred chefs from across Britain. The renowned chefs were blown away with all four chefs and their abilities, they had nothing but praise to give to 3 of the 4 chefs.
The level of quality in all the dishes and the close competition demonstrates how the final heats are becoming tighter and tighter, as the final chef fights for their position in the Grand Finale. As Jamie said

[The finals are] massive. For me personally, for my career. Today is definitely the biggest day so far.  

The penultimate stage of the finals airs on Wednesday 20th December at 8:00PM British time, where we will find out which three chefs will survive this harsh scrutiny and who will have to leave. The remaining three will get to cook at one of the worlds best restaurants in, "Miramar", a two star restaurant on the Cote d'Azur, voted 35th best restaurant in the world in 2009.

Dine like kings in Valletta pt1

Valletta, colloquially known as 'Il-Belt' by the locals, is known for its spectacular night life throughout the year. What better way than to spend your night relaxing with a bottle of wine overlooking the harbour in the Upper Barrakka Gardens . I love walking around Valletta, getting lost in its beauty and serenity. Here are some tips on where to spend your nights in Valletta, where you can enjoy both its culture and energy at the same time.

If you are looking for an authentic plate of Roman style pasta make your way to Zero Sei, a small trattoria situated right near the Teatru Manoel. It is truly a slice of Rome on the Maltese islands, holding Rome's love and passion for food.

Every day we cook the original recipes of a tradition passed down from generation to generation, based on a source of rural and peasant origin. The Roman cuisine flavours are unmistakable: Strong and special flavours conceived of raw materials from the villages of the region.

They have authentic recipes and typical products that have made Roman cuisine famous all over the world. Also paying special attention to its selection of wines produced in the best Italian vineyards. If you fancy a pizza of the same style go to the newly opened restaurant by the same owners, Sotto Pizzeria. Found on the outskirts of Valletta in South Street, boasting its Italian roots, Sotto's pizzas are to die for, receiving a whopping 4.5 review on Trip Advisor. Many customers rave that it's the "best pizza in Malta".


Moving away from all those carbs is Sciacca Grill, a little bit on the expensive side but totally worth it. Named after the Sicilian Village, this Grill house goes beyond its culinary calling. Their meat is full of natural flavour as it melts in your mouth, the tastes are effortless and dance around your tastebuds.

Not to mention their broad Cocktail making skills, any drink you fancy, they'll make it. The first time I dined there, I asked for a Pornstar Martini. Honestly, they looked a bit confused and when it arrived it didn't come as traditionally made; the shot of Prosecco was in the drink as opposed to placed on the side separately. Nevertheless, when I took the first sip ... wow! The wave of passionfruit tingled my tastebuds, it's sourness and sweetness blended together making a perfect harmony.


This is just a taste of  "go-to" restaurants in Valletta. More on my next blog.

Here are some alternate blogs writing about these restaurants:
http://littlerock.com.mt/food/italian-restaurant-zero-sei-valletta/ 
https://www.restaurantsmalta.com/restaurant/zero-sei/
https://lovinmalta.com/restaurants/zero-sei