Food is all about friendship and good company. How does the fact that the four of you are not just business partners but also friends, translate into your food?

Working together can put a strain on friendships but the four of us all have a lot in common despite having very different characters.

Nick Camilleri-Preziosi, Sebastian Degiorgio, Mark Camilleri and I all knew each other socially and this is how we started discussing working together. Prior to Artisan Foods, we were all in the same industry and collaborated together in one way or another so we were confident that our new business partners upheld certain standards and were trustworthy.

We all understand what good food is and what people are now looking for: quality of food, presentation, service and guidance to help clients enjoy the whole experience from selecting a menu to hosting an event.

When was Artisan Foods Company Limited set up and with what aims?

We set up Artisan Foods early in 2013. We felt that the quality of most food and catering was poor and that people were becoming more adventurous and discerning. We decided to merge our established brands and create Artisan Foods. As the name suggests we wanted to create products that had a more personal touch.

The various brands we operate are different but all require personal input to provide the right price to quality balance. We are relatively small so we can react to market demands faster and better than some larger companies.

We still treat Fifth Flavour Catering as we used to when it was just the four of us. The clients we have require a very personalised service and we have retained this as it was what attracted clients in the first place.

Brown and Rye has had a complete overhaul and is now positioned to provide the best quality convenience food. Da Vinci bakery is also producing new and innovative products.

Each one of us is responsible for one aspect of the business but we share ideas in order to provide help, support and advice to one another. There is still much more to do and there always will be, but we would like to think that we are one step ahead with innovative quality products and foods.

What fuelled your growth?

The key factors to our growth are personal attention to our clients and a proactive approach to our products. While the market may display what it expects, this should not stop you from introducing novel products and better service.

Analysing new trends in food is key to staying ahead of the market. Trends that are prevalent are health, convenience and global cuisine and this awareness is what helped us get noticed.

What do the five brands offer?

Fifth Flavour provides private catering for various events, catering from a small dinner party for 10 guests up to a large wedding. The food is of the highest quality and continues to evolve.

Brown & Rye was one of the first sandwich and convenience food producers. We recently introduced new products such as salads and different breads and fillings. We spent a lot of time improving ingredients, recipes and production processes to reassess ourselves as the market leaders.

Da Vinci traditionally produced Maltese confectionery and savoury products. Today Da Vinci produces other products such as cookies, muffins, burger buns and is working on some completely new products. Artisan Foods is also revisiting recipes and processes to improve existing products.

We opened The Galley restaurant in November 2014. Set in a great location annexed to the Royal Malta Yacht Club, The Galley offers a menu that is familiar yet innovative. Our restaurant is aware of food trends and the public’s demand for the familiar yet different.

The Fort Cafe is based at Hardrocks Business Park on the outskirts of the Naxxar and Burmarrad area where our kitchens and offices are based. The cafe was created to provide workers in the business park with good quality food at great prices. The word soon spread and it’s now a popular lunchtime cafe.

Catering doesn’t just involve food but also complex logistics. How do you manage to deliver tasty food to various venues?

We are fully equipped to provide outside catering. We take food safety seriously and never compromise quality – we plan carefully so that clients are offered top quality food wherever they require catering.

How will you be present at the Valletta Boat Show?

We will be setting up a food stall at the Valletta Boat Show. The food will be similar to what we provide at our cafe and we will also be selling Brown & Rye products. We are also providing catering to companies participating in the show.

You have a strong link with boating, through your restaurant The Galley at the Royal Malta Yacht Club. What does The Galley menu offer?

The Galley offers Mediterranean food with global cuisine influences. The menu continues to evolve and although the quality of food is of a high standard, we have kept prices reasonable within our restaurant class. The venue is second to none, positioned in a central yet quiet area with spectacular views of Valletta. There is seating inside and out with ample nearby street parking. The menu is designed to provide anything from a light lunch to a full three-course meal. It is also an ideal venue for private functions and weddings. We provide catering to the RMYC for their various events and through Fifth Flavour we also provide catering aboard yachts as well as providing the food at the club restaurant.