Le Meridien Malta Chef visits Juventus Team Chef

Firm friendship built over the past two years.

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa Executive Chef Reuben Grixti was recently hosted in Turin by the chef of the Juventus football team, Ilio Mariani.

Mr Grixti first met Mr Mariani when the Juventus football team were in Malta two years ago, and the two have been in contact regularly since. Mr Mariani uses the facilities of the Le Méridien Lingotto Hotel, part of the former site of the Fiat manufacturing plant in the heart of the city, to cook the meals for the Juventus players.

Apart from joining Mr Mariani at the hotel to make crostate and prepare a meal, Mr Grixti was also hosted at Mr Mariani's home in Turin. Mr Mariani, 73, has been the Juventus team chef for the past 36 years.

"I have become close friends with Ilio since he first came to Malta and we are regularly in touch with each other on the phone", Mr Grixti said.

Earlier this year, Mr Grixti was responsible for all the dining arrangements for the visiting Parma FC team, including a gala dinner for 260 guests. He has also prepared meals for the visiting Portugal national team.

"It was one of my dreams to be a chef for one of the popular football teams," Mr Grixti said. "I cook healthy and the players and officials are highly appreciative of all that the members of the culinary team do for them."