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Meet the Chefs on Princess Cruises

Contributor
Tiana Templeman

Last updated
Jun 18, 2018

Read time
7 min read

Six celebrity chefs are turning up the heat on Princess Cruises' dining options for Australians and New Zealanders. From Michelin-starred maestros to chocolate experts, the line has scored several coups in cuisine at sea.

Only four chefs affiliated with the cruise industry have been awarded the title of Master Chef of France by the esteemed culinary organisation, L 'Association des Maitres Cuisiniers de France. Princess Cruises is home to two of them: Emmanuel Renaut, who created the new French bistro, La Mer, on Majestic Princess; and Pierre-Marie Leprince, director of guest culinary experience, are the latest recipients of the prestigious designation.

French is just one of many cuisines now featured onboard Princess ships. Here is an entree of what the line's six top chefs are serving up this season.

On This Page

  • Emmanuel Renaut
  • Richard Chen
  • Ernesto Uchimura
  • Curtis Stone
  • Norman Love
  • Angelo Auriana

1. Emmanuel Renaut

Emmanuel Renaut headshot
Emmanuel Renaut (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: French

Three-Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut began his career cooking in some of the finest kitchens in Paris and London, including Hotel de Crillon, Claridge's and Auberge de l'Eridan. He is now the acclaimed executive chef of Flocons de Sel, which has been awarded three Michelin stars, and the more casual Flocons Bistrot and Chalet Le Forestier, all of which can be found in the French Alps.

Princess Cruises' fine-dining specialty restaurant La Mer debuted aboard Majestic Princess in April 2017 and comes to Australia in September 2018. Offering an authentic yet modern Parisian bistro experience, the menu features authentic French cuisine with Renaut's signature modern twist. Dishes include escargots and wild mushrooms served with black garlic custard, seared duck breast accompanied by duck gravy and creamy polenta, and home-style pate in savoury dough with a red cabbage-blueberry mousseline.

Why dine here? You can try Michelin star-worthy dishes from Flocons Bistrot without flying to France.

Cost: AU$35 per person for a four-course dinner. Additional main dishes are available for AU$15 each. Lunch is AU$12.

Available on: Majestic Princess

2. Richard Chen

Richard Chen headshot
Richard Chen (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: Cantonese

Dubbed the 'duck master' in honour of his delectable duck dishes, Richard Chen has earned critical acclaim for his signature 'reverse fusion' cooking, which uses Western ingredients and techniques to prepare traditional Chinese cuisine. Chen was awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant Wing Lei, the only Chinese restaurant in North America to receive this honour.

If you have never ventured beyond sweet and sour pork or combination fried rice, you're in for a treat with Chen's cruise ship fine diner. He created Harmony for Princess Cruises, an elegant restaurant that pairs classic Cantonese dishes with modern decor and ocean views. Dishes include lightly crisped chicken served with water chestnuts and ginger soy glaze, wok-fried kung pao chicken and Peking duck salad with truffle oil vinaigrette, plus a few more adventurous options such as marinated chilled jellyfish.

Why dine here? It's the first time a fine dining Chinese restaurant has been available on a ship in Australia.

Cost: AU$29 per person for a five-course lunch or dinner. Some specialty dishes, such as lobster, cost an extra AU$12 each.

Available on: Majestic Princess

3. Ernesto Uchimura

Ernesto Uchimura headshot
Ernesto Uchimura (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: Gastro pub

Ernesto Uchimura grew up surrounded by traditional foods from his mixed Americas, Asia and Europe heritage, which sparked an interest in the world of gastronomy. After studying the culinary arts in New York, he found his niche creating innovative comfort food.

Awards soon followed including 'Chef of the Year: The Comfort Master' from Los Angeles magazine, 'Best New Dish' for his smoky fried chicken from Angeleno Magazine, 'Best Sandwich in America: Chicken' by Restaurant Hospitality, and 'Best Burger' in Los Angeles by LA Weekly.

You'll find his classic dishes with a twist at The Salty Dog Gastropub on Princess ships. Small plates are the order of the day with options including Pale Ale Pork Cheeks, Spicy Stout Short Ribs, Wild Mushroom Saute, and Lobster Mac & Cheese, among other tasty options. Hero dish, 'The Ernesto' burger, is a mighty meal piled high with a juicy beef patty plus grilled pork belly, caramelised kimchi, beer-battered jalapeno, charred onion aioli, and aged gruyere cheese.

Why dine here? You enjoy pub grub but want to treat yourself to something special.

Cost: AU$12 per person for a choice of two gourmet plates and a dessert. Breadsticks served with beer-cheddar fondue and flaked smoked salt are complimentary.

Available on: Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

4. Curtis Stone

Action shot of Curtis Stone cooking
Curtis Stone (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: Degustation

Curtis Stone is an award-winning Australian restaurateur and author. He worked at Michelin-starred London restaurants, working under renowned chef Marco Pierre White, before opening his first solo restaurant, Maude, in Beverly Hills in 2014. His second restaurant, Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant, is a European-style, chef-driven butcher shop and restaurant that uses fire-based cooking techniques.

Share By Curtis Stone is a six-course fine-dining experience that was created by the celebrity chef for Princess Cruises. With 90 per cent of the line's onboard produce sourced locally, the restaurant has a focus on fresh, local flavours and supporting farmers and regional suppliers. Dishes include a charcuterie or Pantaleo cheese as a starter; a choice of three salads, including tomato and burrata or lemon-poached prawn; ricotta cavatelli or pork ravioli as pastas; lobster tail, scallops or trout for the 'surf' course; duck leg confit, striploin steak or mushroom ragout for the 'turf' course; and a choice of desserts such as dark chocolate hazelnut custard, citron tarts and toffee cheesecake. There's also a vegetarian menu.

Why dine here? With a choice of up to four dishes for each course, this degustation dining experience caters for every taste, and includes a tailored selection for vegetarians.

Cost: AU$39 per person for a six-course dinner.

Available on: Ruby Princess, Emerald Princess and Sun Princess.

5. Norman Love

Norman Love headshot
Norman Love (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: Chocolate

Norman Love was always drawn to the sweet life, starting his culinary career at age 15 as an ice cream maker while he was still at high school. Love went on to serve as executive pastry chef for Ritz-Carlton for 13 years, honing his skills in places such as Dubai, Barcelona and Egypt, before leaving to open one of the United States' top chocolate shops.

Love's sweet creations are gourmet works of art, combining unique flavours with premium chocolate that is shaped into artistic and creative designs. Some might say they're almost too pretty to eat, but don't let that stop you. In 2014, Love created Norman Love Chocolate Journeys for Princess Cruises -- a selection of decadent chocolate-themed treats and activities.

Join a wine-tasting with chocolate pairings or sink your spoon into chocolate tiramisu with mascarpone cream and espresso gelato, or a milk chocolate peanut butter bar. If you want to keep the Love coming after your cruise, boxes of colourful chocolates can be purchased onboard to take home (provided you can resist the temptation to eat them before you leave the ship).

Why dine here? Isn't chocolate reason enough? Health-conscious cruisers can also indulge with a calorie-free chocolate treatment in the ship's Lotus Spa featuring a chocolate polish, followed by a chocolate mousse mask and massage with chocolate oil.

Cost: Desserts are free at the buffet and main dining room or in specialty restaurants as part of the cover charge. Signature chocolates start at AU$13.25 for a five-piece box. A chocolate and wine pairing, offered on select days, is AU$25. A chocolate spa treatment costs AU$195.

Available on: Every ship in the fleet.

6. Angelo Auriana

Action shot of Angelo Auriana cooking
Angelo Auriana (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Specialty: Italian

Known for his innovative use of seasonal produce combined with traditional cooking techniques, Angelo Auriana is passionate about northern Italian cuisine. Graduating from the San Pellegrino Hotel School with honours at age 17, it wasn't long before Auriana opened his first restaurant. After establishing himself in Italy, he moved to the United States in the mid-80s to introduce Americans to the Italian cuisine from the region where he grew up.

Auriana has received a diploma from the mayor of his hometown, recognising the impact of his culinary pursuits in the United States, and how he has helped share Bergamo's culture and traditions through his food. This region also provides inspiration at Auriana's three land-based restaurants -- The Factory Kitchen, Officine BRERA and sixth+mill -- which can be found in Los Angeles' hip Arts District.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, Princess Cruises' long-standing Italian eatery, features a new rustic yet contemporary menu designed by Angelo Auriana. Pasta dishes combine old-world grains like durum with non-traditional ingredients and honour the flavours of traditional Italian cuisine. Think a starter of creamy cow's milk burrata paired with roasted golden beets, fava beans, and toasted hazelnuts or hearty lamb tortelloni featuring mint-speckled pasta and broccoli rabe.

Why dine here: Sabatini's is the ultimate crowd pleaser, with a mix of dishes aimed at more conservative diners and enough twists to keep foodies entertained.

Cost: AU$25 per person, which includes an appetizer, soup or salad, pasta, entrée and dessert. Additional pasta and entree courses are available for an extra AU$10 each.

Available on: Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Regal Princess, Coral Princess and Star Princess.

Publish date June 18, 2018
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