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MARIA DOWLATSHAHI
OWNER AND DESIGNER OF FUSION JEWELLERY LINE AT S*UCE LUXURY IS… HOSTING FRIENDS AND FAMILY The hostess with the mostest is the only way to describe the eternally glamorous Maria Dowlatshahi. Dubai’s very own domestic goddess, with Nigella’s sexiness (and knack with an oven) and Martha Stewart’s party-throwing expertise distilled into one, Maria picks her extended family as her ideal dinner party guests, and especially adores entertaining her parents. “They all live in different parts of the world and it’s very special for me to have them all together in Dubai at the same time. My family would be my dream dinner party guests. Being surrounded by them is very emotional for me and they are my most special memories.” However, Maria does not delegate kitchen duties to others and prefers a more hands on approach. “My family’s favourite home-cooked dish is a special Iranian recipe, coquelet roasted with saffron and lemon polou (rice). The flavour is always astounding, the meat moist and bursting with zest, with the rice crispy and rounded almost like a cake. I also serve up a delicious ratatouille and a moreish, rich chocolate cake.” Other little touches include six small bouquets of roses (which she picks up from Art & Flowers, Choithram’s or Spinneys), that she arranges in crystal vases alongside Swarovski candles, to match her plate settings. “My favourite plates are from Christian Lacroix as they burst with colour; each plate is a different shade, from yellow to green to purple. Christofle cutlery and crockery completes the setting.” Her top tip for hosting the perfect party? “Enjoy yourself; from setting the table to cooking your meal, as that joy will permeate and uplift your guests.”