InterContinental Malta chefs, led by executive head chef Paul Borg, performed exceptionally well at the Malta Kulinarja Cookery and Culinary Arts Championships, which were held at the Bay Arena in St George’s Bay.

Organised by the Malta Chefs Society, this culinary arts competition sees trainees, kitchen artists and chefs from some of Malta’s top restaurants and hotels presenting a variety of food in various categories.

The evaluation process includes flavour, presentation, composition, technical skills and many other measurable benchmarks.

The InterContinental team won 15 prizes in all, including a gold trophy and four best-in-class prizes. The Chef of the Year award went to Ryan Marmarà, as did the accolade for the Maltese trophy.

Ian Micallef, Mr Marmarà and Jonathan Brincat won the Chef Grand Prix trophy.

“I feel proud to be part of this team and have always dreamt of becoming Chef of the Year. Winning the two most prominent awards is a highlight in my career. I was left speechless during the event and still cannot believe that I’m a winner of two awards,” said Mr Marmarà.

InterContinental Malta’s senior chef team was made up of Mr Marmarà, Mr Micallef, Mr Brincat, Joseph Caruana, Jonathan Gatt and Mark Xuereb, while Brady Dalli, Melchior Camilleri and Steve Borg formed the junior team.

InterContinental Malta general manager Giuseppe Vincelli had words of praise for the teams. “Over the past year we have invested significantly in building a very talented kitchen brigade, which together with its members’ commitment, hard work and passion, has continuously delivered unique guest experiences and, in so doing, truly reflected InterContinental’s brand promise,” he said.

The 15 titles won by the InterContinental Malta chefs:

• Chef of the Year – Ryan Marmarà

• Maltese Trophy – Ryan Marmarà

• Chef Grand Prix Team – Ian Micallef, Ryan Marmarà, Jonathan Brincat

• Mystery Box Team – Jonathan Brincat, Ryan Marmarà (silver)

• Vegetarian Mystery Box Team – Jonathan Brincat, Ryan Marmarà (bronze)

• Senior Chef Practical Team – Joseph Caruana, Jonathan Gatt, Mark Xuereb (silver)

• Pork Dish – Mark Xuereb (bronze)

• Fish Dish – Jonathan Gatt (silver)

• Junior Chef of the Year – Brady Dalli (silver)

• Junior Chef Practical Team – Melchior Camilleri, Brady Dalli, Steve Borg (silver)

• Maltese Ġbejna, Maltese Sausage Dish, Junior Chef – Brady Dalli (silver – Best in Class)

• Pork Dish, Junior Chef – Melchior Camilleri (silver – Best in Class)

• Pasta dish, Junior Chef – Melchior Camilleri (merit)

• Fish dish, Junior Chef – Melchior Camilleri (bronze)

• Entrée, Junior Chef – Steve Borg (bronze)