Flavour of Malta is bakers’ delight

Bakers Carmelo Borg Bonaci and Ian Scholes, with some of the Maltese baked delights

TV star shares recipe secrets

A top TV baker has flown to Saddleworth to show his friend some magical Maltese cooking skills.

Carmelo Borg Bonaci, who appears on the sunshine island’s popular television cooking programme, passed on some of his secrets to veteran Uppermill baker, Ian Scholes.

They met and became friends 30 years ago when Ian, who is chairman of Buckley’s, the bakers in Uppermill High Street, attended a culinary convention on the island.

Ian spent part of his national service as a cook in the officers’ mess with the RAF in Malta.

He said “Carmelo is a fine baker with a tremendous reputation and everyone on the island knows him.

“He appears in a show called ‘Christine’s Kitchen’ every fortnight, reviving old Maltese recipes and styles of cooking.

“He loves Saddleworth and comes to visit regularly. This time, he brought some marvellous new recipes with him, including savoury cheese pies and a splendid carnival cake.

“The pies are made with ricotta cheese and spinach — they are really delicate and tasty.

“The carnival cake is filled with fruit and is covered with decorations and a centrepiece at key festivals in Malta.

“He also made a really excellent savoury-styled dish with tomatoes, and anchovies.”

Ian appeared on TV as a taste tester when Carmelo made a special chocolate Christmas log.

“It was marvellous,” Ian recalls. “But, unlike our version, it is made with crushed biscuits, mixed with jam, fruit and nuts and laced with brandy — it had a real kick.”

Carmelo (65) still runs a highly-successful bakers business in Malta. He said: “I love my visits to Saddleworth. It is so different than my home land.

“Ian is a great friend and excellent baker. But it’s nice to give him some of our secrets to add to his range of products.”