The Pastizzi Bar is an idea that has been stirring in my heart for many years.  I was born in Australia to Maltese parents, both from Sliema, and although my upbringing was very Australian, Maltese food was always at the heart of our family. My mother cooked from scratch, family gatherings revolved around the table, and food was simply how we showed love.

After more than 25 years working in a corporate job that took me from Australia to now my home in London — I decided it was time to turn my lifelong love of cooking and my Maltese heritage into something new.

And so, the Pastizzi Bar was born.

Pastizzi are one of Malta’s most loved street foods: delicate, flaky savoury pastries traditionally filled with ricotta or piżelli, a spiced mushy-pea filling.

I’ve spent the past four years working on my pastry and recipes, staying true to the traditional favourites while adding a few fillings of my own.

Growing up in Australia, pastizzi were everywhere. In London, they’re much harder to find.

I think London has been missing out — and I’m hoping to change that.

Keep them in the freezer, bake them when you need them and enjoy them as a snack, for entertaining, or — according to my daughters — as a very effective hangover cure!

I hope you enjoy eating them as much as I enjoy making them.

Welcome to the Pastizzi Bar!