Executive Chef Frank Ponce – La Mar by Gastón Acurio and La Mar Beach at InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa.
Chef Frank Ponce is the Executive Chef of the award-winning restaurants La Mar by Gaston Acurio, La Mar Beach & Manko Doha at Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa. He joined La Mar Doha, the first La Mar in the Middle East, in 2018 as part of the pre-opening team as Sous Chef before earning the role of Executive Chef of La Mar and Manko Doha in 2021. Chef Frank is also leading the opening of the first ever La Mar Beach, bringing diners a unique experience in Doha. La Mar Doha has consistently won awards since it opened its doors, including Best Restaurant in Doha at the Fact Dining Awards four years in a row.
Chef Frank has over 13 years of experience, beginning his career at the age of 16 as a cook in a Peruvian Cebicheria. After years of invaluable experience working in restaurants serving Peruvian cuisine in Lima, Frank joined the Acurio group in 2014 with his first post as Chef de Partie in the renowned Astrid & Gaston, the most well-known restaurant under the Acurio group. Aside from Peru and Doha, Frank has also worked for luxury restaurant Picca in the United States and Michelin-starred restaurant L’erba del Re in Modena, Italy.
Frank hails from Lima, Peru where he studied cooking first in his grandmother’s kitchen before sharpening his skills at D’Gallia Culinary School. He specialized in Peruvian, Italian, and Japanese cuisine.
Always eager to learn more and improve his knowledge in the culinary arts and hospitality industry, Frank also studied hotel management at La Universidad de San Martín de Porres, trained to be a sommelier at La Escuela Peruana de Sommeliers, and took a Masters in Italian cuisine and Oneology in Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners – ICIF in Italy.
Frank aims to introduce everyone to Peruvian cuisine and share the vibrancy and flavours of his beloved dishes through his cooking.
Aside from cooking, Frank also enjoys football, swimming, and spending time with his wife and three cats: Alfajor, Toffee, and Truffa. He can also speak four languages: Spanish, English, Italian, and basic French
