Distinguished Chef
Letizia Vella
- Location
- The Malta Aviation Museum
- Year
- 2026
- Production
- Chapter || - The One at the Hollywood Theatre
Specialities
- Contemporary Mediterranean gastronomy
- Seasonal
- locally sourced produce
- Innovative Culinary Techniques
- Modern Maltese cuisine
- Fine Dining
Recognition
Confirmed
The Supper Club Distinction is awarded exclusively to those who have participated in an official Supper Club production.
About
Chef Letizia Vella is one of the defining voices of contemporary Maltese gastronomy, a chef whose work brings together heritage, technical precision and a deeply personal understanding of flavour.
Her culinary journey began at Malta’s Institute of Tourism Studies before taking her into some of the world’s most exacting kitchens. She trained at the celebrated three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck and later joined Dinner by Heston Blumenthal as Chef de Partie. These formative experiences strengthened her discipline and technical ability while encouraging the curiosity and imagination that continue to shape her cuisine today.
Returning to Malta, Letizia refined her identity in several of the island’s leading restaurants before realising a long-held ambition: opening The Golden Fork in 2019. Now situated within a historic building in the heart of Rabat, the restaurant has become known for elegant, ingredient-led dining inspired by Maltese memories, Mediterranean flavours, seasonality and nature.
Her cooking is expressive without excess. Familiar flavours are reconsidered through a contemporary lens, with every component given purpose and every plate balancing refinement with warmth. This philosophy is supported by a strong commitment to local provenance, with The Golden Fork sourcing much of its fresh produce from Maltese farmers and suppliers.
Letizia’s contribution to Maltese gastronomy has earned significant national and international recognition. The Golden Fork has been recommended by the Michelin Guide since the guide’s arrival in Malta, while Letizia became the first Maltese chef to receive a Knife for Excellence from The Best Chef Awards in 2024. She received the distinction for a second consecutive year in 2025 and is also recognised by audiences as a judge on MasterChef Malta.
For Chapter II—The One at the Hollywood Theatre, Letizia stepped beyond the familiar surroundings of her restaurant to become the featured chef of The Supper Club | Malta. Within the dramatic setting of the Malta Aviation Museum, she presented a five-course journey that celebrated Maltese land and sea through refined contemporary cooking.
Working with locally sourced ingredients and produce supported by the Malta Food Agency, she created a menu of precision and narrative, from cured seabass and line-caught fish to chargrilled Maltese pork and a bright kalamansi finale. Each course demonstrated her ability to preserve the soul of a familiar ingredient while presenting it with imagination, restraint and elegance.
Becoming a featured Supper Club chef requires more than culinary talent. It demands adaptability, courage and the ability to translate a restaurant’s identity into an entirely unfamiliar environment. Letizia embraced that challenge with composure and quiet determination, delivering an experience that remained unmistakably her own while becoming part of a much larger artistic production.
For her contribution to Chapter II and her continued pursuit of excellence in Maltese gastronomy, Chef Letizia Vella received The Supper Club Distinction, recognition earned through participation, craftsmanship and an exceptional commitment to the guest experience.
Accolades & Recognition
- 2026 The Supper Club | Malta - Featured Restaurant | Chapter II Distinction
- 2026 The Supper Club DistinctionAwarded following her participation as featured chef for Chapter II, The One at the Hollywood Theatre, in recognition of her craft, discipline, use of produce and exceptional contribution to the guest experience.
- 2026 S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy JurySelected to join the competition’s regional jury, recognising her standing within contemporary Maltese gastronomy.
- 2025 Second Consecutive Knife for ExcellenceAwarded One Knife at The Best Chef Awards in Milan for the second consecutive year.
- 2024 MasterChef Malta JudgeSelected as an inaugural judge for MasterChef Malta, bringing her culinary expertise to a national audience.
The Menu
Chef Letizia Vella’s five-course menu for Chapter II, celebrated Maltese land and sea through contemporary Mediterranean cooking, from delicate cured seabass to chargrilled local pork and a bright kalamansi finale. Carefully paired wines from the Antinori portfolio accompanied each course, bringing together freshness, depth and a sweet closing note.
- I. Opening Course (Pani Puri, Kapunata, Fish Tartare and Black Garlic Pie Tee with Mediterranean Red Prawn & Trout, followed by Foie Gras Meringue.) — Paired with Antinori Conte della Vipera IGT 2023, Umbria.
- II. Cured Seabass (Black Radish, Scallop & Fish Marinade.) — Paired with Antinori Conte della Vipera IGT 2023, Umbria.
- III. Line-Caught Fish (Vadouvan, Sorrel & Smoked Ginger.) — Paired with Antinori Tenuta Monteloro Mezzobraccio IGT 2020, Tuscany.
- IV. Locally Sourced Chargrilled Pork (Crispy Maltese Sausage, Onion Relish, Parsnip & Vanilla.) — Paired with Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2022, Tenuta Tignanello, Tuscany.
- V. Kalamansi Baked Cheesecake (Blood Orange & Buttermilk Ice Cream.) — Paired with Antinori Tenuta Bocca di Lupo Kaloro Moscato di Trani DOC 2022, Puglia.
Gallery
