The White Sheep of Fine Foods
Written by Elizabeth Ayling
The White Sheep website says it’s ‘a hub for good food lovers’. It’s easy to see why. The space itself, on a ‘can’t-miss-it’ corner of Rue d’Argens in Gzira, is a world apart from most experiences of food shopping in Malta. Inside, you’ll come face to face with a stylish, tempting and delectable display of artisan-produced foods, fresh daily on the deli or packed with perfection in the dried and preserved range. No run-of-the-mill supermarket fare here; just produce drawn from some of Europe’s finest, small-scale, mostly family-run producers who are often award winners.
The White Sheep was founded just over two years back by sibblings Tania Attard and Sarah Borg. They left other careers to join forces to pursue an inborn love of quality foods that take some research and tracking down. And they’ve certainly found their niche. The White Sheep has gained an appreciative, die-hard clientele and band of cafe’ regulars. They’ll nip in for an espresso and lunch as well as to stock up on healthy items from the deli for daily needs (The White Sheep specialises in natural preservative and additive-free goods). The store has a vast range of specialty oils, exquisite biscuits, connoisseur as well as homely preserves, fine and exotic teas and choice blends of coffees, plus a whole lot more. The founding duo’s ethos is that good food should be enjoyed on a regular basis; judging by the walk-in trade each day, it’s clear a lot of us agree.
The White Sheep has developed an impressive selection of fresh charcuterie and farmhouse cheeses (none factory-produced) available nowhere else on the Islands. So, if you’re looking for some memories of a meal under the Italy’s Tuscan sun, head here for lardo, guanciale, pancetta and porchetta, and delicately-seasoned salame, bresaola and prosciutti crudi. The meats are from ripe-age pig and cow breeds typical of the region, such as the native cinta senese, the cinghiale and the toro chianino, which forage in the forest for acorn and wild mushrooms. “We also carry the finest prosciutto from San Daniele in the Friuli-Venezia region, award-winning, British wild boar and game salame, as well as acorn-fed Iberian and Serrano jamon, and chorizo,” Sarah adds.
For the non-meat inclined, don’t miss the specialty olives, award-winning cheeses and other fresh delights. A deli counter to be experienced and linger over indeed and true to The White Sheep’s tagline: ‘Good honest food, everyday’.
Offer to Malta Insideout users, 21-26 Nov, 2011
The White Sheep is offering Malta Insideout subscribers a 5% discount on all the store’s range excluding wines and cafe orders. The offer runs for one week, 21-26 November, 2011. To take up the offer, simply “Like” The White Sheep Facebook page and quote “MIO Sheep” offer in the store. There are some seriously interesting products coming along now ready for the festive season, so think ahead and make the most of this offer now.
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