Marlin Lodge - Our Cuisine and Chefs

Our Cuisine and Chefs

t Marlin Lodge, each meal is a culinary masterpiece created by one of our team of top-class chefs. The cuisine is characteristic of seafood-abundant Mozambique, infused with the Asian and Portuguese influences of its past.

In the dining room, on the beach under the stars, or privately on your veranda, a meal prepared by Marlin Lodge's chefs will tantalise your senses and leave a lasting impression.

Our Chefs

Since Marlin Lodge’s opening in 1997, we’ve had the privilege to experience local Mozambican chefs’ unique culinary skills, flavoured with their passion for food.

Quotes from our kitchen

Alfonso Saela - Marlin Lodge’s head chef for the past 13 years. His favourite dish is any grilled meat or fish.
“Getting it just right is very important for our guests.”
Lorenzo Rurane - second head chef for the past 10 years. His favourite dishes are pastries, baking and desserts.
“My favourite dessert to make is the White Chocolate Panna Cotta.”
Pedro - assistant head chef for the past 2 years. His unique craft is the prepping and cooking of the vegetables.
Costa - second assistant head chef for the past 5 years. His talent is making our unique snacks every day.
“We must make food as art that tastes very nice.”
Nelson Paulo - bakery chef for the past 13 years.
“I like to bake cakes and make desserts. My favourite dessert is Apple Crumble with homemade custard.”
Manuel - griller for the past 13 years.
“I love to cook at the beach barbecue.”
Helton - assistant griller for the past 8 years.
“I am learning something every day. I was storeman but I like to work in the kitchen and making snacks is my best.”
Jose - assistant baker for the past 6 years. His bread-baking skills are legendary among our guests.
Yassin - has been with us for only 1 year. His task seems humble, but is one of the most important.
“I am learning a lot about food and preparation but mainly I keep the pots and pans clean.”
Sergio - assistant griller for the past year.
“I am learning to grill and do vegetable and salad preparation”
Lourenzo - scullery assistant for the past 8 years.
“I am learning to bake and create desserts.”
Andre - has been with us for 6 years. He is currently working in the scullery.
“Without clean plates we cannot give good food.”

Chef for a day at Marlin Lodge

Marlin Lodge is not just about beautiful beaches, luxurious accommodation and azure waters – Marlin Lodge is also about the life experience you have on an African Island.At Marlin we are all for relaxation and taking things slow, even cooking! We are avid supporters of the slow food movement, and invite guests to experience this with us at the lodge. Marlin Lodge’s kitchen boasts with both local and international chefs who will give you a personal Mozambican Chef Experience in three easy steps.

1. A guided tour with our Executive Head Chef of our very own home grown vegetable and herb gardens where an array of fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables are harvested and used in most of our dishes.
2. One will be educated in the various methods of bringing out the best possible flavors in the chosen dish, as well as the most effective way of preparation.
3. Then moving to the kitchen to prepare and cook a three course meal that will entice both friends and family back home. We encourage our guests to request recipes of their favorite Marlin cuisine whilst staying at the lodge, as we want the Marlin Lodge experience to carry on in their own homes. These hands on lessons are held on a Tuesday and Friday every week at 11am and last about an hour and a half.

Check availability Guest Feedback