Question - Lesson 6.2

In lesson 6. 2, cooking show.. Alex states to Maria "Mai mangiate!". In the lesson this is translated into English as "I have never tried this before". A couple of questions...is the translation intended to mean I have never "eaten" this before. Also, why "mangiate"? I am confused by this conjucation of the verb. Please tell me what I am missing. I thought I have never eaten it before would be "Non l'ho mai mangiato. I thought never was non... mai and that mai used alone was ever. I also thought ho mangiato was the past form of I ate. Thanks in advance for helping me understand this.

I have exactly the same question. Didn't understand why mangiatE instead of mangiatO.

Thank you for anyone who can help.