After the Definitive(ly) Good Guide Awards held last month, we had a sit down with Jean Pierre Dingli-Attard, the winner of the Best Chef Award that was sponsored by Pentole Agnelli in collaboration with The Catering Centre as their exclusive local agents.
How did you start off as a chef?
Growing up I always loved to cook and from a very young age (as young as 6) I’ve wanted to become a chef. When I finished secondary school I attended ITS (Institute of Tourism Studies, Malta) where I finished my four year diploma in culinary arts.
During my time at ITS I worked in a few local restaurants as a student and after graduating I left for Italy for 6 months work experience in a 2 Michelin restaurant. This is where my passion got cultivated and where I started to explore the art within cheffing. I also owe most of my knowledge and work ethic to this experience. After that, I worked in London for a little over a year and then in Malta for another 8 years. Each kitchen I worked in inspired me and gave me new ideas and knowledge and ultimately, a drive to open my own restaurant to be able to explore my own creativity more freely.
What inspires you and what is your favourite food?
Travelling inspires me and also, trying out new flavours. Every place I go to opens my mind to what is out there and I can immediately see a vista of opportunities when I see new places, experience new tastes. I also love seeing whatever ingredients are in season at any particular moment as this is a constant source of inspiration to me.
My favourite food is simple comfort food, using fresh ingredients. For me, simplicity is key and I prefer to let the ingredients do the talking!
What led to your opening Barbajean in Dingli?
Searching for my new restaurant was an experience in itself. The location was a very very important element for me. When I came across the building for the first time I fell in love with the layout and its potential. I did not want to open my restaurant in any commercial busy area of Malta and I became enamoured with the slower pace of village life. So I took it as a personal challenge to bring people over to this little village of Dingli at the north-western tip of the Island.
How long has Barbajean been open now?
Barbajean opened on June 20th, 2020 in a little square alongside the church in the tiny village of Dingli (population of just 2700!) where it seems that time has stood still!! It took two years to build to get all the elements just right.
What is the inspiration for your amazing menu? And how often do you feel the need to change it?
The concept is a bistro-style restaurant with good, genuine food in a relaxed setting and this menu is inspired by my journey to date. The aim is to create a nurturing hug on a plate for all my customers.
I like to change my menu according to the seasons, preparing lighter dishes in summer, introducing more fish and seafood. Then in winter I include more heart-warming comfort food with slow methods of cooking. Each dish is designed with great care to create that atmosphere and experience that I strive so hard for.
How did you feel being voted best chef?
I was speechless!! It was such a great privilege and honour receiving this award amongst all the talented chefs in Malta.
Dr Francesca Theuma on behalf of the Catering Centre handing over the Best Chef Award to the deserving Jean Pierre Dingli-Attard.
You are still very young…..what are your dreams and ambitions for the future?
In the next five years I wish for Barbajean to continue thriving as a restaurant and for myself to have to opportunity to continue to experiment with my creativity. My eventual ambition is to open a second restaurant.
I think everybody is born with a passion for something, some people pursue it and I’m so happy that I’ve done just that. I believe I was born with this passion, it is that passion which keeps me working hard every day and striving to be better as a chef.
The career path I have chosen gives me supreme satisfaction, I love to create new things and I love making people happy through good food. Food brings people together, it creates memories, it allows me to be creative and also, I don’t have to wear a suit to go to work.?
Do you need any kitchen equipment or tools for your kitchen? The Catering Centre is a one-stop solution that has you covered with all the equipment you may require and we will support you from design stage to the final implementation.
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