Iconic five-star hotel The Phoenicia Malta has named Matteo Melcore as the new Restaurant Manager to lead its flagship restaurant, Contessa.
Reaffirming The Phoenicia Malta’s position as a leading culinary destination in the Mediterranean, Contessa marked a new era for global gastronomy with its launch last year and has already won a Definitively Good Food Award for ‘Top Food’. This reimagined dining venue encompasses the hotel’s popular terrace, transformed into a botanical-garden-inspired conservatory where guests can dine in style under the stars, year-round.
With an illustrious career spanning continents and culinary experiences, Matteo Melcore brings a wealth of expertise, a deep-seated love for food and hospitality and a lifelong passion for excellence to his new role at Contessa.
His journey into the world of gastronomy began at a young age, shaped by his family’s fish restaurant in the south of Italy and summers spent working alongside his siblings.
After relocating to Rome for his studies in journalism, Matteo continued to fuel his passion for food with weekend work in renowned restaurants. Embarking on a new chapter in London, he rekindled his career in hospitality, working his way through the ranks to become the General Manager of a prestigious fine dining establishment in just under four years. His tenure in London also included a transformative experience at Compass Group, where he collaborated with culinary luminary Michel Roux before overseeing operations in various international locations, including the Caribbean, through his time with Piccolino Individual Restaurants.
Following his success in London, Matteo ventured back to his roots in Italy and later to the Netherlands, where he contributed his expertise to opening a restaurant, focusing primarily on training and development.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Matteo’s genuine desire to make a positive impact on the community also led to him teaching telecommunications to children with special needs during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Now, as he brings his extensive background and unwavering commitment to excellence to Contessa at The Phoenicia Malta, Matteo is dedicated to elevating Contessa’s reputation even further, ensuring that the team takes immense pride in their association with the restaurant.
“I am here to be part of a story – of a family,” says Matteo. “This restaurant is already prestigious, but I want to make sure that it becomes even more so.”
Food & Beverage Manager, Matteo Biagini, together with the rest of the Contessa and The Phoenicia Malta team, warmly welcome Matteo Melcore and look forward to the exciting culinary journey ahead, under his leadership.
The Phoenicia Malta – historic property, modern luxury
From its prestigious position on the doorstep of Malta’s capital city of Valletta – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – The Phoenicia Malta has redefined five-star luxury hospitality in the heart of the Mediterranean since it first opened its doors in 1947.
Boasting seven acres of landscaped gardens, 132 rooms and suites, an infinity pool, the state-of-the-art Phoenicia Spa & Wellness and several culinary destinations, The Phoenicia Malta is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel’s selection of unique meeting and event spaces also makes it a coveted location for meetings and conferences, as well as for weddings and events of any size.
The Phoenicia Malta prides itself on delivering the highest level of warm and personalised guest experiences – which is why many The Phoenicia Malta guests return year after year to this, their favourite hotel in the Mediterranean.