Meet The Team

Damian Ciappara

Chef Patron

Damian is our Head Chef and owner, with over 20 years of culinary experience. Having studied with Michelin starred chefs in the UK, he has now been operating Commando as a family run establishment since 2012. He carries on the legacy of his forefathers who first served refreshments to the Royal Commando Marines from this location dating back to the 1930’s.

Thomas Stellini Sous Chef

Thomas joined our team in January 2019 following his return from Scotland, where he worked as a Chef in a luxury hotel. Born in Mellieha, to a Maltese father and Danish mother, subtle cultural influences round off his cooking style. He tends to be our resident baker, and responsible for the addictive fresh bread we bake every afternoon.

Ryan Vella 

Sous Chef

Ryan, the latest member of our restaurant family, returned from London in July 2019, where he spent the previous seven months working in a Michelin starred restaurant. Originally born and raised in Mellieha, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and metropolitan flavour to our local kitchen.

Rossana Ciappara

Co-Owner

Rossana, Damian's wife, runs all of our daily operations. Whether it's training the staff, menu design, or marketing, she does it all. Customers will remember her warm smile from the early days of the restaurant when she was our first (and only!) hostess. These days she spends most of her time at home with her three children.

Zach FielD Restaurant Manager

Zach has been with us since 2015. He started off as an apprentice in our kitchen, before finding his calling as the manager of our front of house facilities. Originally from Mellieha and raised in the UK, Zach has been working in restaurants since he was a teenager. Anyone who witnesses his calm mastery of the art of hospitality will agree that he is exactly where he belongs!