Maria Borg, 25 is already a favourite in Maltese households, her name is synonymous with the art of cooking and new recipes, as she is one of the few established female chefs on TV. With her bubbly personality, few could imagine her having hang-ups about anything, especially her appearance. Yet losing a few extra kilos has always been an issue, and so she applied immediately after hearing presenter Dr Joseph Chetcuti airing a radio advert for a new Extreme Makeover Show – Arani Issa. Thanks to the help of surgeons, doctors and dentists at Transforma, St. James Hospital and Capua Palace Hospital, the show was offering a new twist to the old makeover stories.

Today, a tummy tuck and a liposculpture later, Maria has shrunk from a size 18 to a smashing size 14, quite a feat, considering that this young lady is always surrounded with her own creations of food which are always mouth-watering and fit for any king. The queen of cuisine has indeed gone down two dress sizes, but her personality is as big as ever, the trademark which has made her so loveable to all.

Watch Maria, accompanied all the while by Dr Joseph Chetcuti, making her grand entrance on Arani Issa, on Monday 8 January on TVM at 8.30pm.