Eating fabulous food lies at the heart of a great getaway, and a holiday on a cruise ship is no exception.
One of the many things shared by Thomas Cook and P&O Cruises is their belief in this – and they have become renowned as much for the culinary delights on board as for the destinations they visit.
And once you see what’s on offer, you can understand why.
P&O Cruises now offers a huge range of world-class food on board, including menus designed by celebrity chefs (pictured is P&O Cruises ship Azura)
P&O Cruises Ventura. Marco Pierre White. Masterclass in East. Photo by Steve Dunlop steve@stevedunlop.com www.stevedunlop.com
Guests can experience fine dining developed by world famous chefs such as Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar, or pick up tips straight from TV’s James Martin in an on board masterclass where they can mingle with the chefs themselves.
Yum: Learn how to cook like one of the Food Heroes with P&O Cruises, including from left, award-winning master pâtissier Eric Lanlard, James Martin and Marco Pierre White
Just like these culinary greats, dubbed the ‘Food Heroes’, P&O Cruises is passionate about provenance and celebrating all things British. As a result, the delights on offer are at the top of the British culinary scene.
1. Enjoy a masterclass with Marco Pierre White
Iconic: The godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White has sprinkled his magic over the P&O Cruises fleet with his personally devised Gala menus
Learn from the best at an intimate, two-hour masterclass with Marco Pierre White
P&O Cruises has paid serious attention to developing the sort of food you’d leave home for, and as a result, you can expect your five-course menu to come with a flourish.
The godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White, has sprinkled his magic over the fleet with his exceptional and personally devised Gala menus.
Choose from dressed Devonshire crab and scallop ceviche, classic beef Wellington or mouth-watering New England lobster with a Mornay sauce.
And you can also learn how Marco reached the top of his game with one of his popular, yet intimate, two-hour cooking masterclasses, held at The Cookery Club on Britannia.
2. Set a date with James Martin
Top notch: TV favourite and P&O Cruises Food Hero James Martin delivers a two-hour masterclass where he turns up the heat in The Cookery club on Britannia
At Britannia’s on board cooking masterclass, The Cookery Club, Yorkshireman James will deliver a hands-on masterclass, sharing his expert knowledge, tricks of the trade and personal experiences, of which there have been plenty, given that he has been a head chef since the age of 22.
Or join a hosted dinner party with James, watching as he prepares a three-course meal, and then sitting down with the charismatic chef at an intimate feast.
3. Learn about spice and all things nice
Top chef: Atul Kochhar is a legend when it comes to modern Indian cooking with a British twist and he provides a masterclass in the art of spice
Learn Atul Kochhar’s secrets in an intimate cooking class or join him for an exclusive dinner
Enjoy a two-hour masterclass in the exquisite surroundings of Atul Kochhar’s onboard restaurant Sindhu, where he’ll share his secrets for cooking with spice.
You can also enjoy a three-course feast hosted by Atul or join him for an exclusive dinner.
Pick his brains on anything from saffron to cardamom and get a selfie with the man himself (always good for those Instagram likes).
4. Let them eat cake
The charismatic Frenchman was described as ‘one of the best pâtissiers in the world’ by Vanity Fair.
Nothing beats a sweet treat, and you can learn to make the best at a two-hour masterclass with award-winning master pâtissier, Eric Lanlard.
The charismatic Frenchman is former head pastry chef for Albert and Michel Roux, and was described as ‘one of the best pâtissiers in the world’ by Vanity Fair.
Learn to create stunningly good sweet treats at a masterclass with pâtissier Eric Lanlard
Watch and learn as he demonstrates the signature techniques that have earned him worldwide fame, before tucking into the afternoon tea of dreams.
Expect the unexpected with roast beef brioches, smoked salmon and caramel macaroons, exotic cake pops topped with orange blossom Persian candyfloss, and chocolate cannelloni, all beautifully presented in elegant surroundings.
5. Eat, drink and be merry
Superstar: Wine expert and Food Hero Olly Smith is hosting taster dinners in the stylish surroundings of onboard restaurant The Glass House – along with fabulous sea views!
With good food you want delicious wine, and how better to enjoy both than at a taster dinner in the company of wine expert and Food Hero, Olly Smith. Even better when it’s in the stylish surroundings of the onboard wine bar and restaurant, The Glass House, which boasts stunning ocean views.
There, you will be able to taste 32 specialty wines chosen by award-winning Olly Smith himself.
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Olly offers food matching suggestions and has great tales to tell as you relax over sharing plates, hearty steaks and seafood bites.
While there isn’t much he doesn’t know about wines, the interesting chappy also keeps bees, loves fishing, dotes on his pet terriers and can answer any question about actor Roger Moore.
You will also have the chance to get a selfie with Olly.
Time to set sail!
Participants must be aged 18 or over, but keen cooks aged 16 and 17 years old may attend any class with an adult. Only family classes are open to participants aged under 16
