Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544773
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 MAY 2026 CULTURE World-renowned culinary symposium Food on the Edge arrives in Malta THE Malta Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Mal- ta Food Agency and Heritage Malta, has officially announced that the prestigious Food on the Edge symposium will be held in Malta on the 19th and 20th of October 2026, the first time in the event's history that it is being held abroad. Originally founded in Galway, Ireland, in 2015 by Chef JP Mc- Mahon, Food on the Edge has grown into one of the world's most influential gatherings of culinary minds. The symposium brings to- gether international chefs, food producers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of food, sustainability, and the cultural impact of gastronomy. To mark this significant milestone for Malta's growing culinary scene, an exclusive media launch and press confer- ence was held on Saturday, 2nd May, at the ME Hotel, Malta. The event provided insight into the upcoming symposium and highlighted Malta's role as a Mediterranean hub for gastronomic innovation. Fol- lowing the formal press con- ference, attendees experienced a unique collaborative lunch. This meal was prepared by the visiting international chefs, JP McMahon, Oli Marlow, Jeffrey Vella and Matthew Orlando, alongside Chef Andre Spiteri of the ME Hotel, showcasing a fusion of global culinary styles and local Maltese ingredients. Chef JP McMahon, Founder and Symposium Director of Food on the Edge, shared his enthusiasm for the symposi- um's first overseas edition: "I am incredibly excited to bring Food on the Edge to Malta. This marks the first time the sympo- sium has travelled outside of Ireland, and it is truly fitting that our first international des- tination is a fellow European island. I believe there are many parallels between Ireland and Malta regarding our food cul- tures, and I look forward to de- veloping a meaningful dialogue between our two nations. Our goal is to bring together chefs and food entrepreneurs from across the globe to Mal- ta, providing a unique platform to showcase the island's excep- tional culinary landscape to the world." MTA Chief Executive Officer, Carlo Micallef, highlighted the strategic value of the part- nership: "The arrival of Food on the Edge in Malta marks a significant step in our ongoing commitment to establishing the Maltese Islands as a pre- mier destination for culinary excellence. By collaborating with the Malta Food Agency and Herit- age Malta, we are ensuring that Malta's gastronomic story is told with authenticity, opening global opportunities for Mal- tese food producers and chefs while attracting visitors who value high-quality, cultural- ly-rich food experiences that our islands offer." This collaboration sets the stage for a new chapter in Mal- ta's gastronomic narrative, fos- tering long-term connections between local artisans and global culinary leaders.