The seventh edition of the WRMC (Wines and Restaurants of Malta.com) Restaurants Quality Recognition Awards took place at the Hilton Malta, St Julian’s, where a number of chefs, restaurant managers, restaurateurs and hoteliers were honoured.

There were eight categories: the WRMC Silver Spoon retention awards to the previously recognised 15 restaurants; the WRMC Silver Spoon awards and titles to this year’s outstanding restaurants; the Blue Riband award to the top 30 fine and casual dining restaurants; top 10 special-concept casual dining restaurants; top five pizzerias; top four Sunday buffet lunch venues; special individual awards to WRMC 2019 top chef, Top front-of-house/restaurant manager and top restaurateur; and the WRMC Lifetime Achievement Award.

A six-course dinner prepared by the Hilton Malta’s kitchen team was served by the banqueting team. Awards were conferred between each course, 73 of them.

Awards were presented by a number of local and international sponsors, some of whom travelled to Malta specifically for this event from the Netherlands, Italy and Sicily, as well as by VIP guests from the Chaine des Rotisseurs – Bialliage de Malte.

The new recipients of the WRMC Silver Spoon Award for 2019 are: Porticello Restaurant of Valletta; Capo Crudo Restaurant of Valletta; Surf N’ Turf Restaurant of Qawra, St Paul’s Bay; Country Terrace Restaurant of Ghajnsielem; and Beppe’s Steakhouse & Restaurant of Sannat.

The recipients of the 2019 WRMC special individual recognition awards are: Marvin Schembri  (Top Chef Gold Award); Joseph Mercieca  (Top Front-of-House/ Restaurant Manager Gold Award); and Marvin Gauci (Top Restaurateur Gold Award).

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Charles Demanuele, for 38 years of service as a top chef in the industry.