NEWS The fifth edition of community group nisġa’s Maltese Cook Off 2015, held last Sunday at the Angliss Restaurant in Melbourne proved to be another well-organised dégustation feast of exquisite Maltese food. It was an appreciative tasting of various mouth-watering Maltese traditional dishes produced by the eight competing teams and sampled by each table of guests.
This annual event brought together eight teams made up of three people, in some cases three generations from one family, cooking Maltese traditional food. This year’s judging panel consisted of Maltese author and TV personality, Karmen Tedesco, Squisito Restaurant Head Chef Anton Camilleri and former MasterChef contestant, Chef Tregan Spiteri.
A simple menu of Kosksu bil-Ġbejniet (Broad bean soup with fresh cheeselets) and Ġelat tal-Bajtar tax-Xewk (Prickly Pear Ice Cream) was the winner this year. Carmen Portelli and her two children, Luke and Annie, impressed the judging panel taking out the award for overall winners as well as the best Maltese menu.
In second place came Emmanuel Cilia, his brother Anthony and nephew Matthew with team Taż-Żigilott with their menu of Rabbit Gems and Baked Rice.
In third place came Mill-Kċina ta’ Parkville, a team consisting of MCCV Executive Committee members Edwina Mallia, Rosemary Attard and Antonia Camilleri, with their Bread with Bigilla (Broad Bean Paste) and Baked Swordfish. They also took out the People’s Choice Award.
The afternoon was a mixture of food and music. The 250 guests were entertained by renowned musician Nicky Bomba and his band, Bustamento, while veteran singer Nikol Caruana belted out a few traditional Maltese favourites. An impromptu drumming session on pots and pans by Nicky Bomba had the audience on their feet.
During the event, it was also officially announced that, the Maltese movie Simshar directed by Rebecca Cremona, will be screening in cinemas in Melbourne and Sydney.