Marvin Gauci recounts coming up with ‘Lobster Popcorn’ dish during a cinema outing with the kids

Chef and restaurateur Marvin Gauci is the brains behind some of the island’s most unique culinary concepts, running several restaurants in Malta and Budapest, including flagship Caviar & Bull. He also serves as the chief chef of the ‘Dinner in the Sky’ in Malta and holds the position of Ambassador of Gastronomy for the Maltese islands.

In the sixth of a seven-part series, first featured on Business Now magazine we explore the flavours, inspirations, and personal reflections that shape the island’s contemporary cuisine, straight from the source. Diving into the kitchens and minds of some of Malta’s most celebrated chefs, we learn about their favourite dishes and thoughts on the Maltese summer, offering a tantalising glimpse into the island’s gastronomic landscape.

“My personal favourite dish, which is served at Caviar & Bull, is the Lobster Popcorn. It’s really unique and I enjoyed the creative process of coming up with it, back in the day,” Marvin reveals, explaining that he actually dreamt up the dish during a cinema outing with his children – which explains the popcorn element!

Sharing his thoughts on Maltese cuisine, and how this translates into his food, the chef explains, “I really enjoy the use of local ingredients and the impact our history has had on the culinary scene.”

Speaking of Malta’s summer, and the food associated with it specifically, Marvin states a preference for fresh fruit salad in the hot months. “My family makes fresh fruit salad every day in summer – it really hits home. In summer, I tend to appreciate the simplicity in my dishes, and I also love fresh fish and seafood.”

This interview was first carried in the 2024 edition of Business Now Magazine, the sister brand to BusinessNow.mt and produced by Content House Group.