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World Chef’s Day – Interview with Our Head Chef: Steven Pisani

October 20, 2023

Head Chef Steven Pisani

Our Head Chef: Steven Pisani

  1. Briefly let us know your journey throughout your culinary years.

    My personal journey in the culinary industry started when I enrolled in the Food Preparation and Production Certificate program, which paved the way for me to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts. During my years at I.T.S., I had many opportunities to learn from exceptional lecturers, both locally and abroad. The knowledge obtained from this institute and the Paul Bocuse Institute in France has led me to secure my place in various hotels and restaurants in Malta and abroad, such as the one-star Michelin star “Lympstone Manor” restaurant, led by Michael Caines. This fuelled my appetite for more challenges and adventures, ultimately leading to AX giving me the opportunity to lead a team at Simblija Care Home and Hilltop Retirement Village.

  2. What inspired you to become a Chef?

    My mother was my inspiration for starting my culinary journey. From a young age, seeing her cook a wide variety of meals, ranging from pasta and meats to home-made bread and pizza on a daily basis, inspired me to start creating my own food dishes.

  3. What is most satisfying about your job?

    Customer feedback. Receiving feedback from clients or residents justifies the long hours. My day is made whenever I sacrifice a free evening, or go the extra mile, and then have someone on the other side appreciating every bit of it.

  4. How do you describe your overall cooking philosophy?
    Cooking is an art in which all the senses work together in a synchronised manner. A simple ingredient can be transformed into a delicious multisensory meal. New combinations of ingredients and methods have endless possibilities of unique dishes.

  5. Let us know about your signature dish.
    I have enjoyed perfecting my chicken liver parfait with cider jelly, apples, truffled blue potatoes, and fresh brioche bread. Creating a dish like this requires precise timing and attention to detail; a minute less or a minute more can easily spoil the final result.

  6. Your favourite ingredient to cook with and why?
    My favourite ingredient to work with is Pork Belly. While it is often seen as an economical cut of meat, the magic happens when it is brined and cooked well, resulting in a beautiful crunchy skin with a succulent, tender meat full of flavours.

  7. When designing a menu, what do you take into consideration mostly?
    Firstly, finding the niche in my market. I believe in basing my menu around the customers that I want to attract to my establishment. Then, I aim to achieve what I plan to do by looking at the local and seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available around me.

  8. Which period of the year is your most favourite for cooking?
    Definitely Summer. It’s the time of year when fruits and vegetables are at their peak ripeness; the natural sunlight gives an extra kick to their flavour. The abundance of fresh, seasonal ingredients in the summer allows for a delightful creativity in the kitchen, and it’s during this period that I find the most inspiration and enjoyment in my cooking.

  9. When you’re not in the kitchen, where can you be found?
    In our family fields, trying to understand better the natural process of growing plants and trees. This relaxes my mind from the day-to-day tasks whilst deepening my understanding of the intricate wonders of nature. I feel recharged and equipped with fresh perspectives.

 

Kitchen Brigade

Our Kitchen Brigade at Simblija Care Home

Other News

Celebrating the Festive Season Together at Simblija

The end of the year is always a great time to reflect on all the memories and good times shared together. And at Simblija, we are truly thankful that 2023 was a joyous time for our community. As the magical festive season is upon us, we invite you to join us in celebrating the countless highlights we have shared over the past year. At Simblija, we understand the importance of creating a vibrant and engaging community for our residents. That's why we have introduced a new addition to our dedicated team - Fiona Debattista, our Activity Coordinator. Fiona has had an incredible impact on all our residents, enriching their lives with a wide array of activities and experiences that have brought joy and fulfillment to every one of them. Our residents have consistently expressed their desire to mix and mingle with people from outside the community, fostering connections and embracing new experiences. To meet this need, in October, we introduced our first-ever event designed to encourage new friendships. The event was a resounding success, as it brought residents and visitors from the local community together. Now, as the holiday season is here, we have a plethora of exciting activities planned that will ensure that the festive season is one filled with warmth and cheer. Here's a glimpse of what's in store for this festive season at Simblija: Christmas Gingerbread Man Baking Competition Christmas Movies Afternoons Festive Chair Dance Christmas Carol Sing-Along Festive Entertainment and More For those seeking respite and not wishing to be alone during the festive season, Simblija is here to offer the perfect solution. Our around-the-clock care, full board accommodation, and extensive activity selection will make you feel right at home. For more information, kindly give us a call on 2235 1000 or send an email at [email protected].

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The Importance of Quality Healthcare & Residency for Senior Citizens in Malta

As the population in Malta ages, there is a growing need for high-quality healthcare and residency services tailored to the unique needs of senior citizens. AX Care is at the forefront of addressing these requirements with a comprehensive, holistic approach to senior care, available at both Simblija Care Home and Hilltop Gardens Retirement Village. Malta is witnessing a significant shift in demographics. The proportion of elderly individuals in the population is steadily increasing. The latest regional statistics released by the NSO revealed that the elderly population in Malta has experienced its most significant increase between 2011 and 2021. Simultaneously, the birth rate has slowed down, resulting in a demographic shift where there are approximately three working-age adults for every elderly person aged 65 or older. This demographic shift necessitates a fundamental re-evaluation of how we care for our senior citizens. AX Care understands the significance of this changing landscape and has taken the initiative to address this specifically. At the heart of our commitment is the provision of the highest standards of residential care on the island. This achievement is made possible by our dedicated, multidisciplinary team, which coordinates and oversees all the health and care needs of our residents. Our team comprises highly qualified healthcare professionals, including nurse assistants, carers, in-house physiotherapists, medical doctors, and our activity coordinator. By working collaboratively, we bring a wealth of expertise and specialist skills to assess, plan, and manage the wellbeing of our residents, ensuring a holistic approach to care. In addition to this, our extended a tissue viability nurse, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and nutritionists. This collaborative medical and allied healthcare professional approach ensures that long-term care planning is resident and family-centered. At the core of this multidisciplinary team is the resident themselves, and our primary goal is to meet all their needs holistically. In cases where residents require specialised attention, we draw upon the expertise of our external colleagues and practitioners. This approach enables us to confidently refer residents to the specialised medical care they need when conditions demand it. Simblija Care Home and Hilltop Gardens Retirement Village are proud to offer a comprehensive suite of services aimed at providing senior citizens with a comfortable, dignified, and enjoyable living experience. At AX Care, we recognise the evolving needs of Malta's ageing population and are committed to addressing these needs with a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and residency services. Our dedication to providing high-quality care is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every senior citizen in our care enjoys a life of comfort, dignity, and well-being. We stand as a beacon of excellence in senior care in Malta, and our services reflect our unwavering dedication to our residents and their families.

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World Chef’s Day – Interview with Our Head Chef: Steven Pisani

[caption id="attachment_2509" align="aligncenter" width="1030"] Our Head Chef: Steven Pisani[/caption] Briefly let us know your journey throughout your culinary years. My personal journey in the culinary industry started when I enrolled in the Food Preparation and Production Certificate program, which paved the way for me to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts. During my years at I.T.S., I had many opportunities to learn from exceptional lecturers, both locally and abroad. The knowledge obtained from this institute and the Paul Bocuse Institute in France has led me to secure my place in various hotels and restaurants in Malta and abroad, such as the one-star Michelin star “Lympstone Manor” restaurant, led by Michael Caines. This fuelled my appetite for more challenges and adventures, ultimately leading to AX giving me the opportunity to lead a team at Simblija Care Home and Hilltop Retirement Village. What inspired you to become a Chef? My mother was my inspiration for starting my culinary journey. From a young age, seeing her cook a wide variety of meals, ranging from pasta and meats to home-made bread and pizza on a daily basis, inspired me to start creating my own food dishes. What is most satisfying about your job? Customer feedback. Receiving feedback from clients or residents justifies the long hours. My day is made whenever I sacrifice a free evening, or go the extra mile, and then have someone on the other side appreciating every bit of it. How do you describe your overall cooking philosophy? Cooking is an art in which all the senses work together in a synchronised manner. A simple ingredient can be transformed into a delicious multisensory meal. New combinations of ingredients and methods have endless possibilities of unique dishes. Let us know about your signature dish. I have enjoyed perfecting my chicken liver parfait with cider jelly, apples, truffled blue potatoes, and fresh brioche bread. Creating a dish like this requires precise timing and attention to detail; a minute less or a minute more can easily spoil the final result. Your favourite ingredient to cook with and why? My favourite ingredient to work with is Pork Belly. While it is often seen as an economical cut of meat, the magic happens when it is brined and cooked well, resulting in a beautiful crunchy skin with a succulent, tender meat full of flavours. When designing a menu, what do you take into consideration mostly? Firstly, finding the niche in my market. I believe in basing my menu around the customers that I want to attract to my establishment. Then, I aim to achieve what I plan to do by looking at the local and seasonal fruits and vegetables that are available around me. Which period of the year is your most favourite for cooking? Definitely Summer. It’s the time of year when fruits and vegetables are at their peak ripeness; the natural sunlight gives an extra kick to their flavour. The abundance of fresh, seasonal ingredients in the summer allows for a delightful creativity in the kitchen, and it's during this period that I find the most inspiration and enjoyment in my cooking. When you’re not in the kitchen, where can you be found? In our family fields, trying to understand better the natural process of growing plants and trees. This relaxes my mind from the day-to-day tasks whilst deepening my understanding of the intricate wonders of nature. I feel recharged and equipped with fresh perspectives.   [caption id="attachment_2511" align="aligncenter" width="1030"] Our Kitchen Brigade at Simblija Care Home[/caption]

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Triq il-Forġa, in-Naxxar, Malta +356 2235 1000
[email protected]
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