With over 15 years of experience at The Ritz Carlton Hotels around the world, Chef Eduardo Marquez will now lead the team at Casa Don Alfonso in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS (Januray 31, 2024) — Casa Don Alfonso (100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, MO 63105), the elevated Southern Italian eatery located in The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, announces Chef Eduardo Marquez as its new Executive Chef. Opened in March of 2021, Casa Don Alfonso brings the recipes and traditions of the acclaimed Iccarino family, who have operated the famed Don Alfonso 1890 in the heart of Sant’ Agata, Italy for the past four generations, to St. Louis. The menu honors the culinary heritage of the Campania region with seasonal ingredients that closely resemble the produce harvested at the Iaccarino family’s farm. Chef Marquez will carry on these traditions and continue to work in collaboration with the team in Lorenzo, Italy, for its seasonal menus along with leading the team on-site.
Chef Marquez joins the existing Casa Don Alfonso kitchen team, which includes tenured chefs from all over the world. Chef Marquez steps into a leadership role alongside the General Manager of Casa Don Alfonso, Greg Gerber, and the Manager of Fine Dining, Ardi Dulaku. “We’re thrilled to have Chef Marquez join the team, especially because of his extensive background at The Ritz-Carlton properties. We know that we can trust him to uphold our standards of excellence and hospitality to deliver the authentic Southern Italian cuisine that we pride ourselves on,” Gerber says.
Over his 15-year culinary career, Chef Marquez has worked at several national and international locations of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which has given him experience creating a multitude of cuisines and flavors. Chef Eduardo Marquez started his career as a cook at The Ritz-Carlton, Chile. During his tenure with The Ritz-Carlton, he performed progressively in different positions within the culinary field. In 2017, he was promoted to Restaurant Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Virgin Island, and one year later became specialty chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, before becoming specialty chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Most recently, he worked as the executive sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. Chef Marquez obtained a Gastronomy degree from College Arturo Alessandri Palma and a Business Administration and Global Economy degree from Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez. He has been recognized as Five Star Leader of the Quarter and Annual Five Star as a Supervisor. He was also working at the restaurant that received the National Award for Best Restaurant and Cuisine in Chile from Weekend Magazine Chile in 2009.
Chef Marquez sees the chance to collaborate with Casa Don Alfonso as an opportunity to create a nurturing atmosphere, guiding and supporting his team while collaborating with the finest in St. Louis’ hospitality sector. He eagerly anticipates demonstrating his skills and building fresh connections within the food and hospitality community of St. Louis. “I’m excited to contribute to St. Louis’ vibrant hospitality landscape and encourage innovation while working alongside Casa Don Alfonso’s talented team. I knew when I accepted this position that I would be joining the best in the hospitality industry, and I am eager to recreate the authentic recipes passed down through generations of the Iccarino family,” says Chef Marquez.
Casa Don Alfonso is open for breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
