The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux, the luxurious boutique hotel, is thrilled to introduce two new key positions at its esteemed Michelin-starred restaurant, de Mondion. The executive chef role is now occupied by Clint Grech, while Gabriel Caruana assumes the position of head chef. Nestled within the medieval fortified city of Mdina, the restaurant’s location within the bastion walls provides a captivating backdrop for an extraordinary gastronomic experience.
Clint Grech’s culinary journey began almost two decades ago when he joined The Xara Collection. Under the guidance of the talented Chef Kevin Bonello, Clint’s creativity, skills, and passion for the culinary world flourished. Over the years, his dedication and talent played a pivotal role in securing and upholding de Mondion’s Michelin star. Prior to joining The Xara Collection, Clint pursued his studies at the Institute of Tourism Studies for four years. He then gained valuable experience at the renowned Gavroche, working alongside acclaimed Chef and Restaurateur, Michel Roux.
As the newly appointed Executive Chef at The Xara Palace, Clint is excited about the endless possibilities for the exclusive restaurant. He takes great pleasure in collaborating with the dedicated and skilled teams. The collective ambition of the de Mondion team to continually grow and refine their craft is evident in the meticulously curated dining experience they provide. Clint, in his role as Executive Chef, shares, “My goal is to take our guests on a journey around our beautiful island. As Executive Chef, my responsibility is to honour the seasons and people behind our produce here at de Mondion and my vision is to showcase Malta’s wonderful culture, history and art through our food here at The Xara Palace.”
Clint will spearhead the kitchen team at The Xara Palace, working hand in hand with Chef Gabriel to ensure an unparalleled dining experience. Gabriel Caruana, the newly appointed Head Chef, joins Clint’s team after an illustrious career working alongside some of the finest chefs in the United Kingdom. Notably, he honed his skills at renowned establishments such as the esteemed Le Gavroche and The Latymer Michael Wignall, both holding two Michelin stars. Gabriel’s culinary prowess has also made an impact in the Maltese islands, notably contributing to one of Malta’s first Michelin-starred restaurants during his tenure at Marea before joining the de Mondion team and The Xara Palace. Head Chef Gabriel expresses, “my aim has always been to enhance the ingredients but never to have them overshadow one another – instead letting the ingredients shine in their natural way.”
Justin Zammit Tabona, Managing Director of The Xara Collection, remarks: “We are absolutely delighted to have Executive Chef Clint and Head Chef Gabriel at the helm of our exclusive de Mondion restaurant with their culinary talent and incredible skill, I have no doubt our guests will be treated to the very best gastronomy experience.”