To celebrate the 35th anniversary of its founding, the Bailliage staged a four-day Grand Chapitre. The event was well attended by local members and guests as well as overseas visitors from Europe and as far away as Asia and Australia.

The weekend was enhanced by providing our international visitors with four special tours of the Island which left them with beautiful memories and promises to return to Malta.

Under the stewardship of Bailli Délégué Dr Joseph Xuereb, Malta boasts a strong membership with the list of Chaîne-approved dining establishments growing steadily acknowledging the increasingly high standard of cuisine and service provided by the Professional members entitling them to display the Chaîne Plaque.

The Induction Ceremony was presided over by Tal Gal-Cohen, Member of the Conseil Magistral from Israel.

Forty-four members were inducted as new members or promoted to a higher grade. Of special note were four Malta members (Dr Joseph Xuereb, Charles Gatt, Marc Besancon and Thomas Noll) who received their 20-year Commandeur awards.

Ten members, including Échanson Dr Ramiro Cali-Corleo, were inducted into the Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs thus inaugurating an OMGD group on the Island.

The initial event of the four days was a Welcoming Dinner in ‘The Villa’ at the Corinthia Palace Hotel. The Induction Ceremony and Gala Dinner were held in the Portomaso Suite at the Hilton Hotel.

Joyful ambience and camaraderie were very evident at all events each of which displayed a real example of gastronomic delight prepared and served impeccably by the respective kitchen and service brigades.

The attendance of so many overseas members and guests together with the local members highlighted the international character of the Chaîne.

Charles Gatt
Chancelier