Acclaimed Italian chef Gabriele Marangoni will take on the role of executive chef at Alla Prossima, a new restaurant specialising in Emiliano Romagnola cuisine.
The restaurant will be located within Nigel McKenna’s Abstract Hotel on Upper Queen Street and will serve hotel guests as well as anyone enjoying fresh, authentic, hand-made Italian pasta and cuisine from the surrounding Bologna region.
Known as the culinary heart of Italy, Emilia Romagna is the home of Parmigiano Reggiano, Lambrusco sparkling wine, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Prosciutto di Parma. Gabriele was born and raised here, working from an early age in his family’s restaurants in Bologna where he developed a deep passion for the best and most authentic Italian cuisine.
He honed his culinary skills in Italian restaurants across Europe, including Vienna, Rotterdam and Strasbourg, before returning to Bologna and working in traditional Italian restaurants such as Ciacco and Antica Trattoria dell Gigina, before moving to New Zealand in 2016.
Marangoni is well known among Auckland foodies as the chef behind Pasta & Cuore in Mt Eden, where over the last eight years he has built a reputation for serving simple, authentic Italian cuisine made with quality ingredients, passion and excellent craftsmanship, and now he’s bringing that passion and expertise to Upper Queen Street.
Gabriele says: “Simplicity is a choice, but authenticity and honesty are non-negotiable. Discerning customers want to know the story behind what they are eating and where it comes from. Most of our products come from Emilia-Romagna, such as Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar and pasta. This region is known as the land of slow food and luxury cars because it allows our products to mature for a very long time, thanks to a perfect microclimate that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world.”
“Our passion is selecting the best from New Zealand producers, including vegetables and premium meats, and pairing these products with fresh produce from local suppliers. We then create incredibly delicious handcrafted pasta dishes, cooked with traditional flavours using techniques that have been passed down for generations, celebrating the rich heritage of Italian cuisine.”
Nigel McKenna, founder and director of Templeton Group* and owner of Abstract Hotels, says Gabriele seized the opportunity to express his culinary vision at Alla Prossima: “It’s not a hotel restaurant – it’s a fantastic Italian restaurant with a fantastic chef – it just happens to be in a hotel and we’re proud to host it at Abstract.”
Nigel hopes that Marangoni’s reputation will make Alla Prossima a dining destination, drawing diners from far and wide with its incredible food, quickly becoming a much-loved restaurant. “Gabriele has a large and loyal following who delight in the simplicity, freshness and authenticity of his food. Not only will they seek him out, but we’re sure they’ll return time and time again after enjoying his new menu – hence the name. Alla Prossima – until next time.”
Gabriele’s culinary excellence has not only delighted his customers, but has also consistently impressed judges and critics, as evidenced by the numerous awards he has won.
- Gambero Rosso International Top Italian Restaurant “2 Fork Rating” 2022, 2023.
- Metro Top 50 Best Restaurants 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022.
- Winner of Metro Best Cuisine Awards 2021 and 2023.
- Slow Food Auckland Snail of Approval 2019.
- Cuisine New Zealand Good Food Awards “One Hat Rating” 2017 and 2018.
For more details and reservations, please see below. Alaprossima.
*Led by Nigel McKenna, Templeton is New Zealand’s leading privately owned property developer with a multi-billion dollar portfolio of properties under development across New Zealand.
