Filfla Chilli Co.

A Maltese kitchen that reads its chili paste as an olive tapenade, and topped the category.

Filfla Chilli Co. is a craft Maltese kitchen run by Malcolm Ricci, built around Mediterranean and Maltese ingredients: sun-dried tomatoes, olives, oranges, carob syrup and extra virgin olive oil. It is named after the small island south of Malta.

Three placements in 2026: Gold and Best in Category in Chili Paste with BUWĠI, plus silver and bronze in Sambal, Chutney and Pickles.

The sauce: BUWĠI is a Maltese chili paste built off green and kalamata olives, sultanas, green chillies and extra virgin olive oil, gently heated and blended by hand. An olive-tapenade backbone with the chili layered through.

Peppers: Green chillies, layered through an olive-tapenade base.

Pairs with: Works on bruschetta, grilled fish, lamb plates and the Maltese ftira platter.

“We are incredibly proud of this. BUWĠI is a Maltese chili paste, with green and kalamata olives, sultanas, green chillies and extra virgin olive oil. I wanted to create my own version of an olive tapenade, with the sultanas added to bring in a sweet element.”