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The prestigious 2021 MICHELIN Guide Malta awards stars to two more restaurants as the Mediterranean archipelago establishes itself as a gastronomic destination

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The Malta MICHELIN Guide 2021 has awarded two more restaurants with Michelin stars on the Maltese islands. An archipelago in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta continues to establish itself as a gastronomic destination in 2021. Established in the late 19th century, Michelin has maintained its benchmark of international food for more than 120 years, fostering a culture of travel and eating out as well as recognizing some of the finest restaurants in the world. MICHELIN Guide Malta showcases the intricate compromising of cuisine that is inspired by Malta’s rich past, combining European culinary influences and local Maltese traditions. 

The new MICHELIN Guide highlights the outstanding restaurants, breadth of cuisine styles and culinary skills found in Malta and its sister island of  Gozo. This years’ Stars were awarded to: 

The 2021 Guide builds on the success of last year’s first ever edition of the Michelin Guide on the islands of Malta and Gozo. The standard of cooking on the islands continues to excite as now five, of the 31 total recommended restaurants featured in this year’s guide, have managed to earn a MICHELIN Star.

International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, Gwendal Poullennec, commented that “the last year has created enormous challenges for the hospitality industry around the world and our hearts go out to all those facing difficulties in these trying times. Our inspectors, like the restaurants themselves, have had to adapt, but we were very pleased that they were able to spend time on the islands and find two new Michelin Stars and 5 new Michelin ‘Plates’ to add to the Guide”.

ION – The Harbour (Valletta)

Situated on the stunning rooftop of the luxurious Iniala Harbour House and Residences, ION – The Harbour offers award winning cuisine surrounded by world-class design and unrivalled views of the picturesque Grand Harbour. From the ambience to the service, the food to the in-house Sommelier wine pairing, all elements have been seamlessly brought together to create a finished dish that highlights the perfect moment of taste. 

Bahia (Lija)

Bahia, a prestigious navel orange that has been the pride of the people from Lija, is now honoured with a chic bistro carrying its name. Using skills developed in some of the best kitchens on the island, Bahia values innovation and respect towards an array of high quality ingredients. Accompanying this exquisite food, is a selection of prestigious wines and other beverages to best suit the guests’ meals. 

Bajia and ION – The Harbour join the ranks of the three first Maltese Star establishments:

Bib Gourmand

Additionally, the three existing Bib Gourmand restaurants, awarded for restaurants offering high quality dining at a reasonable price, all retained their award for the year 2021 for “good quality, good value cooking”. 

MICHELIN Plates

The new Guide to Malta also includes 23 restaurants which have been awarded the Plate symbol, indicating the cuisine has “fresh ingredients, was capably prepared; and is simply a good meal”. 

To see all 31 restaurants listed in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide Malta, click here.

Ion the Harbour – copywright Christian Marot, Ion the Harbour

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife, and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.

About Gozo

Gozo’s colors and flavors are brought out by the radiant skies above it and the blue sea which surrounds its spectacular coast, which is simply waiting to be discovered. Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso’s isle of Homer’s Odyssey – a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside. Gozo’s rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites.

More news about Malta

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Media Contacts:

Malta Tourism Authority

Michelle Buttigieg, Representative North America

Tel: (212) 213-0944 

Fax: (212) 213-0938 

E-mail: [email protected] 

MTA US Editorial Contact

The Bradford Group

Gabriela Reyes/Karen Hoffman

Tel: (212) 447-0027 

Fax: (212) 725 8253  E-mail: [email protected]

MTA Welcomes Launch of Malta Michelin Guide and Announcement of First Michelin Stars on the Island

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Today, Michelin launched the first Malta Michelin Guide and announced the winners of the first Michelin stars on the island. The new Michelin Guide highlights the outstanding restaurants, breadth of cuisine styles and culinary skills found in Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Established in the late 19th century, Michelin has maintained its benchmark of international food for more than 120 years, recognizing some of the greatest cuisines in the world. 

Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is establishing itself as a gastronomic destination that serves up a wide range of dishes influenced by the many civilizations that made the Maltese archipelago their home. In a bid to embrace the long-standing and diverse culinary history of these Islands, the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has been championing local, sustainable gastronomy that tips its hat to traditional methods within the context of a modern and buzzing restaurant scene. 

The winners of the first stars to be awarded in Malta are: 

• De Mondion – Chef Kevin Bonello 

• Noni – Chef Jonathan Brincat 

• Under Grain – Chef Victor Borg 

Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection Julia Farrugia Portelli said: “The award of the first Michelin stars to Maltese restaurants is another achievement for Malta that is very much in line with the Government’s objective of attracting higher spending tourism in the years to come. Gastronomy has become an important component of the type of experience that independent traveler of today seeks in a destination.” 

The Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority, Dr. Gavin Gulia, added: ‘The MTA welcomes this first edition of the Malta Michelin Guide which signifies a coming of age of our quality restaurants. Eating out is a major component of any holiday experience, and with the growing interest in all things related to food, it is becoming increasingly important for Malta to maintain a high standard in its gastronomic offer. Having the first Michelin star establishments on the Island is definitely a step in the right direction.” 

International Director of the Michelin guides Gwendal Pullennec expressed his excitement to launch the first Maltese section, saying, ‘The Maltese culinary scene has talents that are worthy of discovery by foodies from around the world. In the center of the Mediterranean, Malta is a very attractive cultural destination with a unique cuisine style which beautifully combines European influences and local traditions.” 

To view the full selection of restaurants named in the Malta Michelin Guide online, please visit: http://guide.michelin.com 

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. For more information on Malta, visit www.visitmalta.com.

Malta Tourism Authority – North America 

Michelle Buttigieg

P 212 213 0944

F 212 213 0938

E-mail: [email protected]

MTA US/Canada Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group

Amanda Benedetto/ Gabriela Reyes

Tel: (212) 447-0027

Fax: (212) 725 8253

E-mail: [email protected]

No-show clients at Paris restaurants now must pay cancellation cash penalties

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Cafes and restaurants in the French capital have opted to follow the lead of hotels and guest-houses, and start charging their customers with cash penalties for late cancellation of reservations or failing to appear in time.

Hundreds of Paris eateries are currently adopting the system that is widely used in the hotel industry, the Times reports. Restaurants oblige clientele to leave details of their credit cards while making reservations, with big-name places warning customers over a potential charge in case of a no-show.

The measure is reportedly connected to losses the restaurants have to suffer, when people make several reservations for the same day and then cancel at least one of them without warning.

“Even in great restaurants customers cancel without having the slightest idea of the economic impact of their action,” the managing director of Les Grandes Tables du Monde, an association of top restaurants Nicolas Chatenier told the media.

Restaurants reportedly have to follow the trend due to French gastronomical habits, in particular fondness for lengthy meals. French cafes cannot allow two bookings for the same table, like restaurants in Britain and the US, as they cannot be sure that the first group will leave before the second one appears.

The financial losses due to no-shows are really significant, accounting for up to 30 percent of the restaurants entire revenue, according to Xavier Zeitoun, founder of a restaurant booking site Zenchef, as cited by the media. The businessman noted that 245 restaurants have adopted the new system so far.

Chatenier said that annual losses of an average Michelin-starred restaurant may total up to €150,000, stressing that one canceled table may wipe out the profits it could make in the evening.

To tackle the problem the Tour d’Argent restaurant has reportedly imposed a cancellation fee of €100 per head at lunchtime and €200 for the dinner service, while the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant obliges clients who book a table and cancel less than ten days before the meal, to pay €86 per head.

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Four Seasons Hotel Madrid welcomes new General Manager

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In advance of the highly anticipated opening of the first Four Seasons hotel in Spain, Christoph Schmidinger has been appointed opening General Manager to oversee the new luxury hotel set to open in late 2019. Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid will be located in the heart of the historical city center, converting several spectacular heritage buildings into a 200-room hotel and 22 Private Residences.

Schmidinger started his Four Seasons career 25 years ago, and after a series of international assignments in Singapore, Chicago, Atlanta, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, he assumed leadership at the landmark Four Seasons Hotel New York in Midtown Manhattan, overseeing several other properties as Regional Vice President. His ascent in the company continued when he was appointed General Manager and Regional Vice President to the company’s flagship property in Asia, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, where he has been since 2014.

Under his leadership, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, home to the first Cantonese restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars, set the global record for the most Michelin stars at a single hotel. The Hotel has also been widely regarded as one of the finest luxury hotels in China, and around the globe.

“Christoph is an incredibly experienced and talented hotelier, and we are very lucky to have had him lead some of our most notable properties around the world,” said Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “His experience and expertise are what make him the perfect candidate for our new hotel in Madrid, a project that is incredibly important to Four Seasons growth as it will mark our entry into Spain in a thriving international city, and a key destination for luxury travelers.”

“I am very proud to be part of such a significant milestone in our company’s history, and to lead the team as we introduce the Four Seasons brand to Spain with this exquisite hotel,” said Schmidinger. “This project is exceptional in every way, from its location to the destination, the product and our partners at OHL Desarrollos and Mohari Hospitality, and I cannot wait to welcome guests to see for themselves and to experience this great city in a new way together with Four Seasons.”

Truly an international individual, Schmidinger has travelled extensively, starting at a young age with his family, and speaks four languages. Combining his love for travel and hospitality, he studied at the Certificate of Hotel and Tourism Administration Academy in Salzburg, Austria before holding managerial positions at renowned hotels around the world, and then joining Four Seasons.

Casson continues, “Christoph is already hard at work preparing for the upcoming opening of Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid, and I have no doubt that he is the ideal leader to introduce the Four Seasons culture, brand, and people to this great city, positioning yet another iconic Four Seasons property for great success.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

The Iconic Transformation of the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo

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Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo in the heart of the Monaco playground for the world’s rich and famous founded in 1864 was turned into a modern age hotel, piece by piece and over four long years, without ever closing its doors.

The history of the hotel goes way back. Hôtel de Paris and “Monte-Carlo” (a then new district of Monaco…) were essentially the dream of Charles III, the Prince who ruled from 1856 until his death in 1889. He commissioned Frenchman Francois Blanc who had successfully developed a first ‘resort’ concept in Bad Homburg – Germany.

Often known for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Monaco is also a country which has been pioneering renewable energy and clean technologies as exemplified by the Monaco e-Grand Prix, the eco-responsible Grimaldi Forum Congress Centre, the Monte-Carlo e-Rally or the marine conservation “Monaco Blue Initiative”, attended annually by experts in ocean management and conservation from United Nations agencies and more.

Favored stomping grounds of the international elite, yet also a stronghold of efficiency and sustainability, Monaco is a place where anything is possible. The Principality’s latest feat is the stunning 270 million Euro renovation of the Hôtel de Paris, a hotel that Prince Charles III had built to be the most luxurious in the world.

The meticulous modernization of this iconic hotel started in 2014, with the vision to articulate and further define the founder François Blanc’s dream of “a hotel that surpasses everything”, thus perpetuating the legend into the 21st century.

Partial deconstruction, reconstruction, the harmonization of spaces, the design of new areas, a creation of exclusive suites and the evolution of gastronomy; the transformation of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was entrusted to architects Richard Martinet and Gabriel Viora, who dedicated themselves to enhancing and preserving the timeless spirit of the building. 

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo now boasts a total of 207 rooms, 60% of which are suites and include the two most exceptional suites on the Riviera, the Suite Princess Grace and Suite Prince Rainier III

Since 1863, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has been offering a unique Art of Living, a one-of-a-kind resort with four casinos, including the prestigious Casino de Monte-Carlo, four hotels (Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo Beach, Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort), the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa, dedicated to well-being and preventive health, 30 restaurants including five that together have seven Michelin Guide stars.

A hub of night-life, the Group offers an incredible selection of events, including the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival and the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival. At the end of 2018, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is completing four years of transformation works dedicated to Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and to the creation of a new district around Place du Casino, One Monte-Carlo, with luxury accommodation, shops, restaurants and a conference centre. The vision of Groupe Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer for 2020 is to make Monte-Carlo the most exclusive experience in Europe.

More on Monaco: https://www.eturbonews.com/monaco-news

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