The traditional food of Rome, Italy! A taste of Roma awaits at Cucina!

Cucina The Italian Kitchen at Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel is set to welcome famous Italian Chef Max Mariola from Italy – between 23 – 27 April 2019. Chef Max’s dishes will feature fresh, seasonal and simply-prepared ingredients from Roman Campagna. Roman food is based on its ancient past and based on cuts of meats of lamb, fresh vegetables, deep-fried methods. His Cooking Class will take place at Cucina on 27 April while his special menu will be available between 24-27 April and the Spring Brunch will be introduced on Friday 26 April.

The celebrity chef, television host and author, is set to sprinkle his culinary wisdom into a series of carefully crafted dishes that best capture the spirit of authentic Italy.

“I always put myself on the side of those who love to eat well, imagining many different situations. If you have unexpected guests and you have nothing in the fridge, or you are in a hurry, there is always a solution to get prepared, creating exceptional dishes with the ingredients available or simply exploiting the leftovers.” Said Chef Max Mariola and added “I have not been to Qatar and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the place of so much rich in different culinary experiences. As a destination, it has its own mixed-culture which is really fascinating. It is a pleasure travelling to Middle East for an Italian culinary journey to cook with the team, especially with Chef Claudio Trovato.”

On his visit to Qatar Chef Max will present a special Italian menu with Chef Claudio Trovato under the heading “Journey Through Rome”. Highlights of his menu will include “Baccalà fritto in pastella – deep fried code fish” and “polpette di bollito con salsa verde – boiled meat and chicken served with green sauce” as starters, “pasta con la coda alla vaccinara-  oxtail stew with mixed vegetables” and “fettuccine con ragù di agnello e zucca – fettuccine with lamb ragu and pumpkins” as pasta selections, “abbacchio alla cacciatora – rack of lamb with sweet and sour sauce” and “pollo con i peperoni – chicken with bell peppers” as main dishes, “crostata ricotta e visciole –  sour berry ricotta” and “zeppole di San Giuseppe – fried dough filled with custard cream” as dessert options all from traditional Roman cuisine.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Massimiliano Mariola as a unique and very talented Italian guest chef whose expertise will inspire our food and beverage team,” said Chef Claudio. “His expansive knowledge and Italian culinary touches are one-of-a-kind and we are sure that his presence in Qatar will be a major boost to the positioning of our award-winning restaurant, Cucina, and place it at the forefront of the city’s Italian dining scene.”

Chef Massimiliano Mariola was born in Rome and raised in Nettuno. He studied at Anzio Art School and continued his own professional development with cooking courses. Chef Max inherited his mother’s passion for cooking and he believes that a vital part of culinary education and  professional success is to never stop learning. He started teaching cooking at culinary schools and courses, and then continued teaching on the TV channels, RaiSat, Gambero Rosso. He is currently the Executive Chef of Agata E Romeo Restaurant, Simposium Restaurant in Cartoceto and Ristorante Del Parco Hotel Royal, and supervisor of the catering quality in The Boscolo Hotels chain – in Italy and Europe, Consultant Chef for AIA Food and Veronesi Group.

His biggest claims to fame have been his cookbooks and his teaching. He has authored two cookbooks, I Panini Li Fa Max – Max Makes The Sandwiches and Lo Chef in Tasca: Ricette per l’estate – The Chef In The pocket: Summer recipes, where he explains how to transform smells and flavors into dishes.

All Day Special Menu by Chef Max:

Guests can enjoy Chef Massimiliano Mariola special menu at Cucina between 24 – 27 April from 12.00pm to 11.30 pm. Reservations are recommended. Menu price is QAR 145 per person and the beverages are available on a la carte menu.

Italian Brunch at Cucina:

Cucina will host its 1^st Friday Brunch in April. Enjoy an exquisite dining experience with Chef Max, as he prepares a special Spring Menu with Cucina team to give you a flavour of his signature dishes. The family style Italian Brunch will take place on 26 April between 12.30pm – 5.00pm   offering a rich choice of dishes from 20 regions of Italy. The Italian Brunch is QAR 175 including soft drinks and QAR 300 including selected Italian beverages.

Cooking Class with Chef Max:

Chef Max, will demonstrate and teach Cucina guests easy-to-cook people-pleasing recipes on Saturday 27 April between 11.00am – 2.00pm. Cooking class price is QAR 185 per person and reservations are required.