Chefs are dishing out their best at the Malta Kulinarja cookery and culinary arts championships being held by the Malta Cookery and Food Association, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The competition is open to chefs in Malta and Gozo and is divided into two sections: one for static entries and another for live cooking. This year’s championships feature over 50 events involving over 200 participants, including two international teams from Scotland and Romania.

It is spread over four days and the entries are judged by a panel of eight international judges from the UK, Holland, Germany, Italy and Cyprus, assisted by Maltese judges.

“This year was a fantastic one for our tourism industry not only because of the increase in the number of tourists who visited our country, but also because we had an above average growth when compared to Europe as a whole and also to Southern/ Mediterranean Europe. This growth should be attributed to the hard work put in by all stakeholders, not least our restaurants.”

This was stated by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech when he officially inaugurated the championships at the Dolmen Resort Hotel, Qawra.

The minister said that all efforts were being made to upgrade ‘product Malta’ and cookery was a major ingredient of the product. Through its bi-annual Malta Kulinarja the Malta Cookery and Food Association was contributing towards the better standard of local cuisine and towards offering Maltese and foreign clients best Maltese and Mediterranean dishes and value for money.

The minister noted that in Malta and Gozo there are about 1,100 restaurants serving 44,000 covers. Competition between these restaurants is fierce but it is also healthy, as in a competitive market, those that offer the best food and the best service will achieve best results and returns.