Enthralling conversations and delectable platters by a Michelin star chef. A night doused in culture and tradition.

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The ‘F’ in FACT stands for food, so imagine our delight upon the invitation for a one night only gastronomical event at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, with renowned two-starred Michelin Chef Maria Marte, as she takes over the Hunters Room & Grill Kitchen. The night entails culinary conversations, and mouth-watering innovative selections we’ve yet to have anywhere else. We begin our evening with drinks and light conversations on the beautiful and scenic terrace, not-so-patiently awaiting the fusion of flavours of our eight-course meal, that is being prepared on the other side of the door.

Soon enough we are escorted to our seats and then begins the parade of divine selections of food and drinks. Each entrée is paired perfectly with a chosen drink to make sure our palate recognises and combines flavours for the highest height of flavour and texture. This event can be described as food luxury, wrapped in class, and etiquette throughout. Every dish displayed in front of us is inspired by flavours and colours from the Dominican Republic. In the midst of this gastronomical night, we also got to ask the lady of the evening a few questions.

Maria Marte grew up in the town of Jarabacoa in the Dominican Republic and brings her memories of the greenery of nature and the flavours of her home into each creation. Being the only women in the Community of Madrid to hold two prestigious Michelin stars, her journey was not easy in a male-dominated industry, but she persisted through her own obstacles. She recalls an account that still lingers in the back of her mind when she thinks about her journey, “When arriving at the table the customers asked me, ‘where is the Chef to congratulate him?’ and I answered ‘I am the chef,’ and they had a confused reaction because they expected a man.” Even though a female chef was unheard of, she knew her calling was in the kitchen from a young age. She began working alongside her mother who was a pastry chef up to when she created her first-ever dessert, the Hibiscus Flower on a Pistachio Crumble, an ode to her country’s vibrant colours, flavours and joy. We heartily indulge in this Hibiscus Flower cherished dessert at the Hunters Room & Grill, which truly encompasses a chemistry of flavours, eye-catching presentations, and history.

Marte worked her way up from washing dishes to becoming an award winning sensation and inspiration. She details her journey in a few words, “In the same place where I started washing dishes, I had the opportunity to be a kitchen assistant, then a cook, head of party, and sous-chef until I became the chef,” showcasing her fighter and passionate spirit. María Marte’s gastronomic proposal for the night includes the Smoked El with Rocoto Chilli and Coconut, Sweet Potato Cream, Crispy Seaweed & Herring Caviar, Slow Cooked Lamb & Dates Gnocchis; and a sinful Creamy Chocolate and Almond Ice Cream. The menu doesn’t end here and every dish on the table has us on culinary cloud 9. Each dish brings forth the chef’s innovative thinking, bold personality and creativity that paved the way for her success throughout the years, winning her not only the prestigious Michelin stars but the “National Prize for Gastronomy (2015), the International Chef of the Year” awarded by The Best of DR 2018 Mercado Magazine, the Dominican Republic amongst countless others. These highly coveted rewards are the end result of a humbling rags to riches tale, but even though Chef Marte soars in the skies she relies on her humility to keep her grounded and connected with her humble recipes that distinguish her from her colleagues.

“My creations are based on my origin and environment, what I do in the kitchen is a reflection of my life. In some dishes I have tried to combine noble ingredients with very basic ingredients to bring together both social classes,” she says emphasising the important connection she’s maintained to her roots. “The example is my dish ‘arepa plankton’, corn is a very basic product and caviar represents a noble product and the combination of both is a reflection of it.” And whilst she wows us at the table at the Hunters Room & Grill Kitchen she mentions that she prefers the staple foods of her country when she’s at home on any regular day such as arroz con habichuela (white rice with red beans) or a typical Spanish dish like Tortillas de patatas (potato omelettes). And keeping true and loyal to her roots with the aim of giving back, Maria Marte also initiated the María Marte Foundation and stays involved in her solidarity projects.

Her goal is to help young women who are keen on gastronomy, to study and prepare, in hopes of creating better livelihoods for themselves and their families. “Helping others has always motivated me and I am convinced that through the foundation I can make life easier for people who need it,” she adds.

This dinner at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa offers us much more than an appetising meal. It gives us the opportunity to connect and experience different cultures and find inspiration in Maria Marte’s story. She is truly a woman of force and innovation and we applaud The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa for hosting such a stimulating, appetising and thought provoking event. ✤

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