The Malta Independent on Sunday
New food and beverage team at Le Méridien St Julian’s
Le Méridien St Julian’s Hotel & Spa has just appointed a new food and beverage team to inject a fresh style of dining at this award-winning boutique fivestar hotel.
Just back from a six-year stint in London where he headed the office of the Malta Tourism Authority, general manager Alex Incorvaja’s main priority was to select a team that could meet the demands of the more discerning residents.
“We’re extremely proud to have such a creative and passionate team on board to provide guests with a unique, alternative dining experience,” Mr Incorvaja said.
He has succeeded in bringing together a team that although young has accumulated vast experience in the industry - Neal Debono as Director of Operations, Adrian Buttigieg as Executive Head Chef and Rodney Pisani as Food & Beverage manager.
Mr Debono, 32, who started out running his family business and is now reading for an MBA with Henley Business School, was previously the assistant director of operations at the Grand Hotel Excelsior and assistant food and beverage manager in Jersey.
His direction is to move away from the stiff surroundings normally associated with five-star hotels to a more casual, relaxed experience without compromising on the highest levels of quality of food or service.
Mr Buttigieg, the young award-winning chef who has also worked in Luxembourg under Michelin-star chef Cyril Molard for a year, is moving away from the three-course style by providing antipasti and snacks at the KuDéTa Lounge and Bar and the Scirocco Restaurant.
For the 29-year-old chef who has worked at the Phoenicia, Waterfront and Excelsior hotels, this is the beginning of a new era where he is experimenting with flavours to confuse and excite the tongue with an explosion of textures.
The bar menu promises to be just as exciting with Mr Pisani, who is also the president of the Malta Bartenders Guild, at the helm.
Apart from running a molecular bar to stimulate guests’ senses of taste and smell, Mr Pisani is planning to whip up signature cocktails by infusing gin with dried roses or tea, while twisting the classic cock- tails to give them his experienced edge.
The hotel, which is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary, is centrally located in St Julian’s, nestled in a corner overlooking the stunning views of Balluta Bay, with ample parking available.