As part of our commitment to providing career growth opportunities and upskilling our team, Brady Dalli, Executive Sous Chef at Rosselli AX Privilege in Valletta under the AX Hotels brand, recently refined his culinary expertise through a company-sponsored 1-month training opportunity at De Bokkedoorns, a renowned restaurant in the Netherlands. Brady shares how he gained valuable insights into new techniques, team dynamics, and operational structures, further broadening his professional knowledge and reinforcing his appreciation for work-life balance.
“The Netherlands is a country of beautiful landscapes, traditional villages, and vibrant cities,” Brady commented. He found the transition seamless, thanks to the welcoming team. His role involved preparing vegetables, handling meat, assisting with pastry, and working alongside the team during service. “It was interesting to see different working systems and cooking techniques,” he said, managing two daily services proved challenging, demanding precision and strong organizational skills.
A unique aspect of the restaurant was the daily team dinner at 5pm, where kitchen and service staff dined together despite the fast-paced environment. Brady also observed a unique approach to plating, with chefs collaborating on each course rather than working strictly with assigned sections. While the team communicated fluently in English, he noticed slight variations in ingredient terminology. Brady’s biggest takeaway was the emphasis on work-life balance. “This experience made me very aware of how much they prioritise such a balance- something crucial in such a demanding industry” he said. Encouraging others to embrace similar opportunities, he added, “If the opportunity presents itself, go for it.”
Brady now heads to Athens for another experience before stepping into his new role as Head Chef at soon to be opened The Verdala Wellness Hotel, AX Privilege. He expressed gratitude to his mentor, Chef Victor Borg, Culinary Director at Rosselli, AX Privilege, for his continuous support, and looks forward to applying his newfound knowledge in the next chapter of his career.
