Mario Alfieri from Marios Of The Dining Room in Hendra, Mariosarti and Nicolinis Italian restaurants dies at age 76

A pioneering chef is being remembered for bringing ‘passion and flair’ to the Gold Coast dining scene after losing a long battle with cancer.

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FORMER Gold Coast restaurateur and chef Mario Alfieri has been remembered for his contributions to charity, his passion for great food and his “charisma and flair” after losing his long battle with cancer this week.

The 76-year-old, a pioneer of Italian cuisine in Queensland, was former owner of Nicolinis in Surfers Paradise, Mariosarti in Toowong and the award-winning restaurant Mario at The Dining Room in Hendra.

Former Gold Coast restaurateur and chef Mario Alfieri, who passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 76.

A seasoned chef, Mr Alfieri was at the forefront of Italian cuisine for more than 30 years and was known for offering old-school service and hospitality, prowling the dining room to see that all were greeted like old friends and kept informed of the nightly specials.

With a love for feeding people, his Brisbane-based restaurant served rustic Italian food with “the wit and panache of a devoted food lover”.

Mario Alfieri with an award for his restaurant Mario At The Dining Room.

Mr Alfieri had many accolades to his name, including Best Italian Restaurant in Queensland and one of the original members of the Gold Coast Chapter of Le Chaine De Rotisseurs, this “true legend” of the Australian Restaurant Scene will be dearly missed.

“Food is like fashion, people get tired of it, it changes, but you always go back to the basics. I teach chefs to find something new every day because something new is there,” he said.

Mario Alfieri at his Hendra-based restaurant.

Mr Alfieri had a passion for sharing his knowledge with up-and-coming young chefs as well as hosting charity events for various foundations, some of his favourites being the annual foster families of Queensland and survivors of the Grantham floods.

Two of his three sons, Max and Julian Alfieri, both continue on this legacy in the restaurant industry, both owning successful Italian restaurants; Ioesco at Sanctuary Cove and Godfather at Hope Island.

A photo taken at Gold Coast’s Nicolinis Ristorante and Bar in 1999. Mario and Merridy Alfieri are pictured in centre, with Christian Alfieri on the right.

Max described his father as a “larger-than-life character who left a last impression” on the Gold Coast’s dining scene during the 1980s and 90s, continuing on in Brisbane.

“He was a big part of the restaurant scene and brought charisma and flair to the industry. He was also good friends with all the founding pioneers of the Gold Coast in the 1980s,” said Mr Alfieri.

“Charity was incredibly important to him and he contributed a lot to the community. His cooking touched the heart of everyone who ate it. Our family wants to thank everyone who has supported him over the years.

Recipe from Mario Alfieri - GC cuisine legend

Merridy and Mario Alfieri.

Mario Alfieri with one of his culinary delights.

“My dad was a very humble person and exceptional chef who added a Neapolitan influence to his cooking”.

Mr Alfieri said while his father was a very private man, “he lived to the extreme”.

He’s survived by his wife Merridy, sons Christian, Julian and Max, and his three grandchildren.

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