A simple menu of kusksu bil-gbejniet (broad bean soup with fresh cheeselets) and gelat tal-bajtar tax-xewk (prickly pear ice cream) was the winner of the fifth edition of the Maltese Cook Off, organised in Melbourne by community group nisġa.

Carmen Portelli and her two children, Luke and Annie, impressed the judging panel taking out the overall winner award as well as the best Maltese menu.

This annual event brought together eight teams made up of three people each, in some cases three generations from one family, cooking Maltese traditional food.

This year’s judging panel consisted of Maltese author and TV personality, Karmen Tedesco, Squisito Restaurant Head Chef Anton Camilleri and former MasterChef contestant, Chef Tregan Spiteri.

Emmanuel Cilia, his brother Anthony and nephew Matthew with team Taż-Żigilott came in second place with their menu of rabbit gems and baked rice followed closely by Mill-Kċina ta’ Parkville, a team consisting of Edwina Mallia, Rosemary Attard and Antonia Camilleri, with their bread with bigilla (broad bean paste) and baked swordfish. They also wonout the People’s Choice Award!

During the event, it was also officially announced that, the Maltese movie Simshar directed by Rebecca Cremona, will be screening in cinemas in Melbourne and Sydney.

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