KUWAIT: Marco Fiorot’s journey from pizza and pasta to machboos is a tale that reflects his decade of living in Kuwait while appetizing tongues and bellies. Fiorot, an Italian chef, more commonly recognized as Marco Vigonovo, is known for infusing Italian and international ingredients with Kuwaiti flavors.

Fiorot told Kuwait Times that during the past year, he immersed himself in the study of Kuwaiti cuisine, crafting new recipes almost every day, which blend Kuwait and Italy in a single dish. He refers to such dishes as ‘Kuwaitaly dishes’. Today, Marco is pushing the boundaries of the Kuwaiti cuisine alongside a team of talented chefs to blend local flavors with ingredients from all around the world. “I am using international ingredients but flavoring them with Kuwaiti flavors. Each chef is introducing their own dish, while I am positioning myself at the crossroads of international and Kuwaiti cuisine to create a delicious harmony to the taste of both the international cuisines and Kuwaiti cuisine,” he said.

KUWAIT: Marco Fiorot gestures on the filming set of his show "Shako Marco". — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Marco Fiorot poses for a photo with the AlRai team.

One of the chefs Fiorot works with preps ingredients combining Kuwaiti and Italian flavors.

Fiorot is highlighting his passion for cooking on the show ‘Shako Marco’ which is airing on AlRai TV in Ramadan. The show’s title “Shako Marco” is inspired by Kuwaitis questioning why an Italian chef would add a ‘Machboos,’ which is traditional Kuwaiti dish, to his menu.

This random yet unique combo of flavors, is best summed up by the Kuwaiti term ‘Shako,’ captures meanings of confusion, humor, and curiosity towards this unexpected cuisine mash up.