The Swedish Connection Interview with David Vidal, Sous Chef at ‘Laholmen Hotel’, Sweden
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t is amazing how food can take people to different corners of the planet to grow their talent. I was aware of the impressive number of local talent in the food industry working in different corners of the planet, yet would have never imagined to learn about the story of a Maltese chef working in the Swedish city of Strömstad. I came across Chef Vidal through some work he recently posted on a social media platform which encouraged me to contact him, and get to know his story better. His work is amazing and highlights his sense of creativity and eye for detail. During our conversation, Chef Vidal shared his journey in the world of food and what attracted him to the home of ABBA. What attracted you to the world of food? My connection with food started at a young age. I always enjoyed watching my dad making cakes for special family occasions in Canada. When we moved to Malta my dad started working at my uncle’s confectionary in Luqa, and after school and on weekends I always used to go and help him with pastries, cakes and making ravioli. That’s when I realised that I wanted to work in the food industry. At first my thoughts were to work solely with pastry, but after starting at the Institute of Tourism Studies I realised that I wanted to be a chef and work with all types of dishes along with pastry.
Photo: Meto Khazragi
In what way did the Institute of Tourism Studies help you develop your culinary skills? The Institute of Tourism Studies was a really good way to achieve my goals within the industry. If I was going to be a chef I knew that I wanted to get the proper knowledge of the basics of cooking. A lot is learned in the restaurants and hotels that one works in, but I still believe that chef school is important to understand all the theory behind cooking, and to do the practise how it is meant to be done. The school also gave me great opportunities to compete both in Malta and abroad. What encouraged you to choose Sweden as your next destination?
Photo: Meto Khazragi
It wasn’t a hard choice since my wife is Swedish, but of course being one of the best countries to live in didn’t do any harm either. What encouraged me also was that at the time I moved I was following certain food competitions, where Sweden were always around the
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