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The Malta Independent on Sunday | 15 December 2013
Lifestyle & Culture
W|tÜç Lattughi Exclusive Event Catering launch Off to the Maritime Museum in Birgu. Thank goodness parking is easier in winter and you don’t have those awful tombola parties held outdoors and disturbing the peaceful nights. I know of a couple who after purchasing and redecorating a beautiful home in Senglea, simply could not bear to listen to all that noise in the summer months and were obliged to move. As we know the Maritime Museum was the old Naval Bakery and one can imagine bread being prepared and baked in its vast halls. I love this waterfront too but nothing beats our Valletta waterfront even if the Vittoriousa one is more historic since, after all, the Knights of Malta settled in Birgu when they came from Rhodes and Valletta was to be planned and built later, after the Great Seige. I received an invitation from Andrea Lattughi whom we have for a long time associated with the Corinthia Group and Catermax. Even Andrea has now ‘come of age’ and with the vast experience gained throughout his many years of superb catering in Malta, he has decided to set up something of his own and with his very own imprint on it. Thus Lattughi Exclusive Event Catering has come into being. The launch itself was an indication that what he has in mind is not quantity but quality. A table on which some samples of petits fours were beautifully presented said it all. Mouthfuls of delicacies – not great big pasti, pastini, truffles but creations for the discerning. I have seen similar ones at Le Nôtre in Paris and other confectionaries of course. There is a certain artistry, sophistication and refinement in everything which was displayed and which was being served. I was very impressed with the quality, very impressed indeed. Moreover, instead of the usual loud music which disturbs, yes disturbs, almost every event I attend, Andrea had a harpist, playing gently, like an angel. This meant one could talk with ease and not have to struggle and compete with some group or another who, I find, do not entertain at all at certain events but merely hinder conversation. I will continue my campaign to stop loud music at civilised events, loud music which is alright for a disco or to accompany midEuropean lapdancers for the undiscerning who go and ogle at them. Why not engage a pianist, as they do in hotel lounges for example – The Westin Dragonara Resort and the Phoenicia come to mind immediately. Or indeed a harpist as in this case. Dr Gavin Gulia, the MTA chairman opened the event and
A sample of the refined petits fours which are on the menu of Lattughi Exclusive Event Catering
Dr Gavin Gulia, MTA Chairman, Dr Valentina Lattughi, her father Andrea and Dr Francesca Balzan
Mr Lattughi, Ms Sarah Young, the wedding planner and Dr Gavin Gulia
Mr and Mrs Ivan Mifsud and Mr Lattughi The young and talented harpist
said that The challenge for the tourism Industry is to make Malta a destination all the year round and not just during the peak season. To this end, MTA is aware that besides enhancing accessibility it has to diversify the product, from being totally dependent on sun and sea to a mix with culture and recreation and therefore events. MTA supports the initiative of Lattughi, he said, which runs parallel to MTA’s vision for the shoulder and winter months and moreover pledges its support. Author and art historian Francesca Balzan spoke about the surprisingly long history of parties in Malta. She said that descriptions of celebrations have come down to us through the centuries giving us a flavour of how our forefathers
Sister Agnes needs your help I wish to ask for your help once more. Sister Agnes Azzopardi, now well into her 80s is looking after over 100 refugees and needs all the help she can get so that she can feed them: men, women, children, babies. Let me assure you that each of them has a story of struggle, sorrow and sadness to tell. Yes, I know, we have had enough of them. And let me also say that we have also had enough of others too, who, somehow or another are given visas to stay on these tiny islands. However, now these refugees are here and we need to care for them. We need to help Sister Agnes and other good souls who help her to feed them. We are all spending money this Christmas mostly on relatives and friends who really do not need anything else. Our homes are overflowing with a great many things. Our children have far too much as we do too. Please, please send something to Sister Agnes. Do it right away. If most of us send a small sum of money it will help her keep things going. Her address is: Good Shepherd Convent, Idmejda Street, Balzan. Thank you on her behalf and that of the refugees. celebrated important events in the past, but the most detailed descriptions were published in the newspapers of the 19th century. Francesca went on to recount one example where proceedings, guests, the entertainment, the costumes worn, the menu were described in such detail that one could
The Greek Ambassador Alexandros Rallis, Dr Valentina Lattughi and Mr Andrea Lattughi
almost recreate the event. She is such a good speaker and as we know, an excellent researcher and passionate about her subject. Francesca studied law to start off with. Her book on Maltese Jewellery is a reflection of her: precise and thorough and hard evidence of her love of beautiful things. She is also curator of Palazzo Falson – another ‘work of art’ which I love. Whenever I have visitors I take them there or encourage them to go. Speaking to the gathered guests, Dr Valentina Lattughi explained that the company is a marriage between what is at the heart of Tuscany – refined taste, pride in one’s traditions and flair, and the essence of Malta – passion for life, hospitality and genuine ingredients. She said that the company has great plans and is determined to see
them through. “We are not aiming to cast our net on every corner of the market, and do not want to compete with everyone. We know the sort of clients who would appreciate our vision and we shall be doing our very best to cater to their every need, whims and specification,” she said. “Our vision for Lattughi Exclusive Event Catering is for it to give a truly special service to match the wishes of special clients. I believe that just as there are boutique hotels, there can be boutique caterers. And Lattughi will be a boutique caterer.” I enjoyed speaking at some length to Reno Bugeja, Head of News of PBS and Chev. Anthony Demajo who was very impressed with Francesca’s speech and wanted to meet her. mbenoit@independent.com.mt