Modesto Marini

Modesto Marini
Born
Lake Garda, Italy[permanent dead link]
SpouseElizabeth Hew-Marini
Culinary career
Cooking styleContemporary Italian
Current restaurants
Marini's on 57
Marble 8
Mesa on 51
M Marini Grand Caffè & Terrazza
MariGin
Müro
Awardss
Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere) (2016)
Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards-Icon of the Year (2013)
Century International Quality ERA Award (2014, Geneva)
World Branding Awards – Brand of the Year Malaysia (2014–2016)
Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality Awards – Signum Virtutis (2014–2016)
Malaysia Tatler Dining Awards – Best Restaurateur (2020)

The group’s establishments have also received:

Wine Spectator Awards (USA) (2015–2025)
Recognition in the Michelin Guide (2023–2025 listings)
Multiple awards from the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival (MIGF)
Websitemarinisgroup.com

Cavaliere Modesto Marini is an Italian chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur based in Malaysia. He is the founder and owner of The Marini's Group, a Kuala Lumpur–based hospitality company known for operating high-end restaurants, bars and lifestyle venues.

Modesto has been described as a prominent figure in Malaysia's food and beverage industry, particularly within the fine dining and luxury hospitality segment.

He was awarded the distinguished Order of the Star of Italy in October 2016, which carries the title Cavaliere and is one of the highest civilian honours of the Italian government.

Career

Early career

Modesto began his culinary career in Italy before moving to the United Kingdom, where he worked as a sous chef at Cecconi's in London's Mayfair[permanent dead link], which was patronised by royalty and celebrities.

He relocated to Singapore at the age of 21, and later moved to Malaysia in 1995, where he established himself in the local restaurant industry.

In Malaysia, he founded Modesto's chain of Italian restaurants, which expanded regionally across Southeast Asia. By 2008, the chain had nine outlets and hosted a Ferrari party in 2000. It also hosted Formula 1 and MotoGP stars like Jarno Trulli, Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi; with Trulli launching his wines at the outlet. He later disposed of his shares in the chain, which also included restaurants in Singapore[unreliable source?] and Indonesia.

The Marini's Group

In 2012, Modesto opened Marini's on 57, the highest rooftop bar, restaurant and lounge in Malaysia, located at Menara 3 Petronas, Kuala Lumpur.

Following its success, he opened another two establishments in 2014 - M Marini Grand Caffè & Terrazza, Malaysia's first dedicated champagne and caviar cafè and Marble 8, a premium steakhouse in Kuala Lumpur, specialising in their own dry-aged steaks.

In later years, the group expanded with additional concepts, including:

Collectively, these venues contributed to positioning Kuala Lumpur as a destination for upscale dining and nightlife experiences.[unreliable source]

Marini's on 57 has hosted a number of royals and celebrities such as the Crown Prince of Denmark His Royal Highness Frederik, Anna Fendi, Jarno Trulli, Max Biaggi, Tiger Woods, Bon Jovi, Eric Cantona, Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, former English footballer and manager Glenn Hoddle, LPGA stars Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie, Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, American PGA Professional Chris Stroud, season one winner of Masterchef Whitney Miller, designer Jimmy Choo, singer Nicole Scherzinger, and Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison of Pawn Stars.[unreliable source] It was also the venue of the after-party of the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards.

Annual F1 Party Paddock

2014 saw British House Music DJ Danny Rampling, who is widely credited as one of the original founders of the UK's rave/club scene, and his wife, Ilona Rampling, to perform at Marini's on 57's first Formula 1 event - Party Paddock at the Top. Subsequent years saw the likes of Joey Negro [2015] and Simon Dunmore [2016] (Founder of Defected Records) follow suit. The annual F1 Party Paddock events take place annually during F1 weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunset Hours Albums

In 2014, Modesto collaborated with the Godfather of Balearic Chill Out Music, DJ José Padilla, to create an album which would commemorate the second anniversary of the bar at Marini's on 57 called Sunset Hours Volume One. The album launched in Ibiza, Spain, on 20 June 2014.

Sunset Hours Vol.2 compiled by popular and respected melodic chill-out DJs Chris Coco (UK) and Afterlife (UK) launched in Ibiza, Spain, on 9 August 2015.

Sunset Hours Vol.3 compiled by Simon Mills (UK) launched in Ibiza, Spain, on 20 July 2016.

Album Compilers Year Artists
Sunset Hours Vol.1 Jose Padilla 2014 Jose Padilla. Trevor Deep Jr. Begin Optical. Baris K. Chris Zipell. Maricopa. Bonnie & Klein. Mark Barrott. Cantoma. Andras. 40 Thieves. Razzy Bailey. No Logo. Osunlade.
Sunset Hours Vol.2 Chris Coco & Afterlife 2015 Chris Coco. Afterlife. Jose Padilla. Les Baxter. Christian Prommer. Micko Roche. Man in a Room. Vincent Delerm. DF Tram. A Forrest Mighty Black. Suba. John Beltram. Nick & Samantha. The Past Present Organisation. Coppe.
Sunset Hours Vol.3 Simon Mills 2016 Simon Mills, Napoleon, Dekoi, Manhead, Chris Coco, Jose Padilla, Mr Fingers, Farbror Resande Mac, HNNY, Hidden Spheres, Gidge, Sei A, Julian Sanza, Bent.

Awards and recognition

Modesto has received several industry awards. These include:

The Marini's Group has also received recognition from Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality Awards – Signum Virtutis (Seal of Excellence) (2014–2016), presented by Prince Della Torre e Tasso in 2014, World Branding Award under the category of Restaurant, for three consecutive years 2014–2016, and Superbrands Award (2003).

Personal life

Modesto is married to Elizabeth Marini, a Malaysian entrepreneur.

The couple have been involved jointly in the development and promotion of The Marini's Group. They have two children.

References

  1. 1 2 "King of Italian cuisine". The Star Online. The Star. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "Italian Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia".
  3. ↑ "Modesto Marini". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Toyad, Jacqueline. "Lofty ambitions". Yahoo! News. The Edge. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Modesto's Orchard Road".
  6. ↑ Yuliandini, Tantri (15 August 2004). "New Italian eatery serves fine, and fun, cuisine". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "The Marini's Group unveils the new Marble 8 Steakhouse". Malaysia Tatler. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ Correia, Edgar (10 October 2023). "Marini's on 57 – A must in Kuala Lumpur". Evoque Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Marini's on 57 celebrates one year anniversary". clubbing9ine.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "The Pawn Stars at Marini's on 57". Pintrest. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Kuala Lumpur stages the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards". Malaysia Tatler. 1 April 2014. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Spinning up some F1 vibes". The Star. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  13. ↑ "Sunset Hours second anniversary". Time Out. 22 July 2015. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  14. ↑ Dzaenis (13 June 2014). "Jose Padilla launches Sunset Hours Album in Kuala Lumpur". Malaysia Travel News. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "The Marini's Group and Marini's on 57 celebrate 11 years of service". Malaysiakini. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Modesto Marini receives knighthood from Italy". PR Newswire. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  17. ↑ Sowerby, Samantha (12 December 2019). "Tatler Dining's Best Of The Year Awards 2020". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 28 April 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ↑ HAPA [@hapa.asia]; (28 February 2026). "For years, Modesto Marini @modestomarini and Elizabeth Hew Marini @liz_hewmarini have built experiences, not just restaurants ... Being recognised as one of Malaysia's Top 20 Entrepreneurs of Excellence at the HAPA® Awards 2026 Series on 8 February 2026 is not simply a recognition of fine dining. It honours vision, discipline, and the courage to raise standards in an industry that never stands still". Retrieved 28 April 2026 – via Instagram.
  19. ↑ "Seven Stars Global Luxury Awards". The Sun. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  20. ↑ "The Marini's Group". World Branding Awards. Archived from the original on 13 March 2026.
  21. ↑ Kong, Joan (13 May 2024). "Elizabeth Marini, Sarah Shah Nor and Thanuja Ananthan on redefining entrepreneurship". L'Officiel. Archived from the original on 20 January 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  22. ↑ Ng, Juern (2 March 2026). "Elizabeth Marini on building a brand legacy with a spouse". Robb Report. Archived from the original on 28 April 2026. Retrieved 28 April 2026.