Sending a taste of home to the UK
Marilù Vella is sending 100 dozen pastizzi to the UK to give a little taste of home for Maltese cancer patients and their families. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Hundreds of pastizzi will be flown to the UK to give “a taste of home” to cancer patients and their families, who will be spending Christmas there for treatment.
“Most probably what these people really need is money, since being there is expensive. But I’m giving what I can – a taste of home during Christmas time,” said Marilù Vella, the owner of a small business called Pastizzi Gourmet.
Over the past few weeks she has been busy making dough and 16 different fillings for the 100 dozen pastizzi that were due to leave Malta for Sutton, UK, at 8.30am today.
Ms Vella, 26, was brought up in a family where cooking and baking was part of everyday life.
“We never bought pastry – pastry is something you make,” she said.
About a year ago, when she was between jobs, she started making low-fat pastizzi for friends trying different fillings from the conventional pea and ricotta.
Soon her hobby grew into a business and she set up Pastizzi Gourmet last December.
This year, as Christmas approached, she decided to send some of her culinary creations to friends having cancer treatment in the UK and their families.
“I knew they would love receiving my pastizzi while there. But then I thought: why not do it for all the patients? They’re all in the same boat,” she said.
“Sometimes we forget that apart from patients, there are families who would have left everything behind to be near their loved ones.”
Ms Vella soon learnt there are some 20 Maltese families staying in Sutton.
She started working on her idea and spoke to Air Malta, which immediately accepted to sponsor 50 kilos of weight, translating into 100 dozen cheesecakes.
She also contacted Puttinu Cares for children foundation, which will help her distribute the frozen pastizzi once they arrive at the Sutton apartments.
This is a complex owned by Puttinu Cares to host families of patients undergoing treatment in the UK.
Being a small, growing business, Ms Vella could not afford to send them all from her own pocket.
She donated 16 dozen and reached out for help to reach the target of 100 dozen.
She put out a request on the Pastizzi Gourmet Facebook page asking people to donate pastizzi for cancer patients in the UK at reduced prices.
Within a few days she collected enough money to send more than 200 dozen and will be using the extra cash to hand out her pastizzi to children in hospitals and the elderly in Malta, every month, throughout 2013.
“I have to thank all those who made this possible. I truly am overwhelmed.
“During these times of political differences, it’s nice to see everyone come together for a good cause,” she said.
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21 Comments
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stephen mifsud
Dec 22nd 2012, 06:54
kem ghandek qalbek tajjba Marilu vera mara tajjba u genuiena inti alla iberkek
Francis Grech
Dec 22nd 2012, 00:21
Marilu what a good and noble gesture you had done to help Maltese people who are waiting for their love once to be operated on in a foreign country but you could have send some funds instead as Pastizzi and qassatat are available at our newest Maltese cafe called Parparello of Hammer smith still I do appreciate of what you did.
Ms Christine Micallef
Dec 21st 2012, 10:23
Well done Mari !!!!!
Marc Caruana
Dec 20th 2012, 22:13
at last someone with good sense. marilu vella what you do in this world for a good cause will be given to you in thousands. god bless you. saying this cause i v been through this in suurrey with my sis and it feel bad far away from home. like malta there s nowhere in this world and the ,maltese. if we eliminate cartain political hate between us maltese our country will be more than haven
Tatiana Heraghty
Dec 20th 2012, 18:57
Bless her. I wish her business every luck.
A Vella
Dec 20th 2012, 17:41
Really good idea
James Tyrrell
Dec 20th 2012, 16:25
I hope your business goes from strength to strength Marilù. Malta needs more people like you. Just reading this article I could smell those beautiful pastizzi! Fantastic idea.
Eric Bonanno
Dec 20th 2012, 15:49
Il-ġiżu ġież! What a fantastic idea Marilù. Just think what the smell, the warmth, the feel and the taste will be doing to our fellow Maltese over there as these pastizzi slowly melt away in their mouths. Marilù, you won’t just be sending them food. You'll be sending them emotions, memories and loads of love. You'll be saying to them, "We all think of you in our own ways!" Prosit!
Dianne Galea
Dec 20th 2012, 13:35
Marillu the fact you are sending all these pastizzi to Sutton is wonderful . But may I remind you for next time that at Great Ormond Hospital there are children and families with heart problems Unfortunaltely these children and families tend to be forgotten by the people at Puttinu Cares who receive so many donations but pass none to these suffering kids too.
John Benner
Dec 20th 2012, 12:53
What a kind gesture , when you read stories like this it restores your confidence in your fellow human beings , I am visiting Malta in the second week of January and as I am an avid lover of the pastizzi I will try and make a point of using Pastizzi Gourmet , does anybody know where Marilu business is .I wish all those families who are with there loved ones here in the UK the seasons greetings.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Dec 20th 2012, 12:24
Well done, Marilu. I have tased a variety of these pastizzi and they are simply amazing. An original take on the old fashioned pastizzi.
A Bezzina
Dec 20th 2012, 12:09
What a wonderful soulful story ... Wish there will be more of these making headlines! Big thanks to this amazing woman.
Joe A. Borg
Dec 20th 2012, 11:57
As much as it is a good idea and I applaud it, have you considered the level of Cholesterol in the pastry?
Please put a sing on the package informing them that these should not be consumed by persons with Cholesterol problems. Sure that it will not help them in their situation. (Unless low fat pastry was used)
JIMMY ATANASIO
Dec 20th 2012, 13:26
if you actually read what the artical said you would have noticed that they are made with low fat.you just like to complain and make the other person feel bad.regardless it's a good feeling to be able to do that.mr.borg keep your oppinions to yourself and stop insulting others.ms.vella i commend you for your well doing.merry christmas
Pippo de Marco
Dec 20th 2012, 11:52
What a truly wonderful, humanitarian thing to do. I am sure that the recipients will be delighted.
I wish Marilu and everyone who supported her initiative a happy, festive season and a healthy and prosperous new year. May the God of your faith bless you all.
Ryan Abela
Dec 20th 2012, 11:49
Prosit Marilu!!!
Lucienne Dimech
Dec 20th 2012, 11:44
Nice imitative. Pastizzi are that Maltese thing all foreigners go crazy for. They are known to be responsible for the increase in many waist lines. The low fat option is interesting although I believe that one,should enjoy the real thing responsibly.
Gordon Galea
Dec 20th 2012, 11:25
Prosit Marilù, the world needs more people like you. Keep it up.
Michelle de Maria
Dec 20th 2012, 11:18
What an amazing initiative - prosit Marilu!! Just goes to show that all we need to do is think of others and give of what we have or what we can.
Bernadette Cassar
Dec 20th 2012, 10:26
Well done for this marvellous idea!! Keep up the good work and God Bless you and give you the strength to never stop helping poeple in need!!
JOSEPH CROKER
Dec 20th 2012, 10:21
Prosit Ms Vella,
A very good idea.
Keep it up.
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