Keep it fresh, keep it honest, and let the ingredients shine

Interview with Chef Roberto Senese, Carluccio’s

How did growing up in Naples and learning from your grandmother shape your culinary philosophy?

In Italian homes, the kitchen is where life happens. It’s where conversations flow as meals are prepared and shared. That’s how it was for me. I grew up in the kitchen, watching my mother and grandmother cook while they talked about life. I started out doing small chores, but as I got older, I began helping with full meals.

That’s where my love for cooking began—bringing people together with food and sharing honest, unfiltered conversations around the table.

We cooked simple food at home: pasta, salads, seafood, and occasionally meat (which isn’t a big part of traditional Italian cuisine). Cooking was straightforward—lots of olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, and cheese.

That simplicity still defines the way I cook today, inspired by Antonio Carluccio’s philosophy: keep it fresh, keep it honest, and let the ingredients shine.

What does your philosophy “Minimum Fuss, Maximum Flavour” mean to you, and how do you bring it to life at Carluccio’s?

Minimum Fuss, Maximum Flavour” (MOF MOF) was the guiding philosophy of our founder, Antonio Carluccio. He believed in simplicity—using the finest ingredients, treating them with care, and embracing home-style cooking techniques to preserve authenticity and the comforting warmth of homemade food.

At Carluccio’s UAE & Qatar, Antonio’s MOF MOF philosophy is at the core of everything we do. It’s not just about how we cook; it shapes how we serve and connect with our guests. We keep things honest, genuine, and simple, following Antonio’s original recipes and maintaining the high standards he set.

While there are moments when we adapt to local tastes, we do so thoughtfully and sparingly, ensuring the heart of MOF MOF remains intact in everything we create.

How do you adapt Carluccio’s menu to cater to local tastes in the UAE and Qatar while staying true to Italian traditions?

Localization is key to staying relevant and evolving as a brand. At the same time, it’s just as important to preserve the essence of our brand philosophy.

Our menu is a blend of Carluccio’s classics and local favorites. For example, while BBQ Pizza isn’t traditionally Italian, it’s a regional favorite, so we’ve adapted it to suit local tastes—always using the best ingredients and keeping the cooking simple.

Another example is our Rigatoni Prawns & Pistachio pasta, a dish that combines prawns, pistachio, and pesto with a touch of chili, crafted specifically to appeal to the local palate while staying true to our focus on quality and flavor.

With the revamped Marina Mall branch offering vegan dishes and zero-proof drinks, how do you balance modern trends with authentic Italian cuisine?

Carluccio’s has always offered vegan options, but with the launch of our new menu, we’ve introduced a dedicated vegan section in response to growing demand and current trends. This addition reflects our commitment to catering to all guests.

We’ve also expanded our beverage offerings by introducing zero-proof drinks, providing premium options for those looking to enjoy something unique and exciting. These thoughtful additions have not only enhanced our menu but have significantly improved our dining experience, with guest feedback reflecting the positive impact on their overall enjoyment.

How does the show kitchen and iconic pizza oven enhance the guest experience?

Our goal was to showcase the authenticity, skill, and freshness that define our offerings. This is made possible by our show kitchen and pizza oven, where guests can enjoy watching their food being prepared with professionalism and the highest standards of hygiene. It’s not just a meal – it’s a visual experience that enhances the dining journey!

With elements like lemon trees and Mediterranean warmth, how do you aim to transport guests to Italy through both the food and ambiance?

In addition to enhancing our guest experience and bringing a modern touch to our interiors, we aimed to infuse subtle Mediterranean elements while staying true to Carluccio’s brand identity. This was achieved with features like lemon trees above the community table and vintage Italian-style tiling, which together create a rustic Mediterranean and Italian atmosphere.

Our food and service stay true to Antonio Carluccio’s MOF MOF philosophy, perfectly complementing each other to deliver an authentic Italian experience that is unmistakably Carluccio’s.