Pierre Marcolini, the celebrated Belgian chocolatier and founder of Maison Marcolini, has spent over two decades perfecting the art of chocolate—from bean to bar. With nearly 40 awards and a reputation for sourcing the rarest cocoa in the world, he’s known for transforming indulgence into craftsmanship.
During his visit to Doha, Azqa Haroon caught up with Chef Marcolini to talk about his passion for desserts, the Printemps boutique at Doha Oasis, and his newest venture—bringing his creations to Qatar Airways’ First and Business Class.
QH: Tell us a little about your journey, your love for desserts, and how it feels to be part of the Qatar Airways experience.
Marcolini: The story of the Maison Marcolini—or rather, my own story—goes back a very, very long time. When I was fourteen, I realised how much I loved desserts. I used to eat so many of them—anything sweet would make me happy. And one day, I asked myself, why not become a pastry chef? A chocolatier? That’s where it all began.
QH: Your boutique at Printemps in Doha Oasis is a favourite spot of ours. We visit often, and so do many families in Doha. What do you personally recommend from this location?
Marcolini: The ice creams here are quite exceptional. You see, ice cream should be fresh—straight from the machine, natural, and light. That’s what we aim for. I’d love for you to try some—you’ll see what I mean. Pistachio is one of my favourites; it has this pure, natural texture. And of course, we have raspberry sorbet and other flavours. We call these les petits bonheurs—little moments of happiness.
QH: And are these the same ones served on Qatar Airways?
Marcolini: Yes, very similar. We’ve created a special selection for Qatar Airways, keeping the same values of freshness and refined taste. It’s such an honour to be part of their onboard experience—it’s all about bringing a touch of indulgence to the journey.
Whether on the ground or in the sky, Chef Pierre Marcolini continues to transform everyday treats into extraordinary experiences—one delicate chocolate and one velvety scoop at a time.
