Renowned Maltese caterer Busy Bee announced on Monday (today) that it would be bringing its coffee shop concept to the south of Malta as it sets up a new shop in Fgura.

The catering outlet will be adding Fgura to its portfolio of shops in Malta that already includes Mrieħel, Sliema and Msida.

Judging by social media comments, people seemed pleased that they would now get to enjoy the caterer’s famous kannoli close to home.

Busy Bee Confectionery’s story dates back to 1933 when Censu Friggieri first opened an outlet in Msida. It gained quick recognition by serving Maltese favourites like the renowned ricotta-filled kannoli, almond pastries, pastini and krustini, yet the big success it achieved came as a surprise even to Mr Friggieri himself.

Censu’s son, Edwin, took over the business in 1974, and he managed to keep up the brand reputation established by his father. Over the years, he introduced Italian delicacies such as Dolci di Mandorla and handmade Torroncini, which the Maltese had started to get a taste for the more they visited abroad. During this time, the humble confectionery evolved into an Italian styled coffee shop and ‘tavola calda’ eatery, serving a variety of foods, savouries, sweets, and beverages. This was also the time that Busy Bee started providing quality catering for wedding parties and receptions.

The catering company went on to experience further progress over the decades, from acquiring Villa Mdina in Naxxar - one of Malta’s most popular weddings and receptions venue – in 1988 and thus consolidating Busy Bee’s position in the outside catering sector, to opening up a gelateria in 2012 and inaugurating an 8,000-square foot factory in Mrieħel  which increased the company’s production capacity.