Chef Kathryn Kelly in the Culinary Arts Kitchen
When Seven Seas Splendor sets sail for her inaugural season in February 2020, the fifth and newest ship in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet promises ultra-luxury from stem to stern. Staterooms on the intimate, all-suite, sophisticated 750-passenger ship will be tastefully appointed—all with furnished private balconies.
Because cruisers increasingly express interest in learning about the ingredients, dishes and culinary traditions of the various destinations they visit, Seven Seas Splendor has upped the ante by enriching the breadth of the ship’s culinary focus on its Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries.
The line recently announced it would be adding 16 new cooking classes, exclusive to Seven Seas Splendor. The popular culinary program currently on Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has been pioneered by Chef Kathryn Kelly, Executive Director of Culinary Enrichment for the two small-ship lines (both operated by the same parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings). Regent Seven Seas’ family of enrichment programs has a broad span, ranging from competitive Bridge to wine education, to expert lectures and more.
“The culinary classes are popular because many of our guests enjoy experiencing travel through food and wine, connecting the places they travel to respective cuisines,” says Chef Kelly, a world traveler herself with more than three decades of experience in the industry. Kelly, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, explains that these new classes, as well as Regent’s other enrichment programs, reflect the line’s emphasis on adult learning.
The new two-hour classes will take place in Splendor’s sparkling new Culinary Arts Kitchen, located on Deck 11. As guests work at 16 individual cooking stations (alongside kindred spirits who are passionate about food) they will be receiving hands-on, personalized instruction. The sleek, contemporary space is equipped with three curved rows of white quartzite counters, topped with induction cooktops and stainless steel sinks. Although the ocean views of the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows may pose a distraction, guests will be encouraged to simultaneously watch close-up details of each step of the preparation process on the large-screen monitors at the front of the room.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Culinary Arts Kitchen
“Our curriculum appeals to a broad range of tastes and caters to all experience levels, from beginner to seasoned chef,” Kelly adds. “Our goal is to not only introduce cuisines, spices, recipes and ingredients tied to various ports but to teach guests skills that they’ll be able to use at home after the voyage,” she says.
Examples of the new courses include:
- Treasures of the Aegean: Greek cuisine is explored through favorite dishes from Corfu, Crete, Rhodes and Santorini.
- Batter Up: This class is designed to teach batter-based recipes from French crepes to Tuscan flatbread to Santorini tomato fritters to Turkish zucchini fritters.
- World of Flavor, Street Food: Participants will learn the secret ingredients, special techniques and family recipes from master chefs who have traveled the world in search of great street food.
When passengers venture off the ship for excursions, optional Gourmet Explorer Tours (also designed by Chef Kelly) will offer bespoke, immersive opportunities to visit local markets, tour wineries, dine at gourmet restaurants and more.
Many passengers rate the gastronomic adventures they’ve experienced on Regent Seven Seas as the highlight of their cruise experience. “When I was younger, we used to go to friends’ homes and they would pull out their projectors and tell us about their trips through pictures. Today, guests can share their cruise experiences at home by cooking meals for their friends that represent the destinations they explored during their voyages,” says Chef Kelly.