Cruise life Food and drink Spain

A taste of the world on board

We bring authentic dining experiences on board our ships, both by collaborating with native leading chefs – our Local Food Heroes – and offering places to dine on board that give you a taste of some of the world’s most dynamic destinations. So, while you’re travelling the world, why not get a taste of it on board, too?

9 min 23 Oct 2022

Editorial Team

Author

1. Spain

Spanish food is inextricable from its history, geography and culture. Be it the Phoenicians or the Romans or the Moors, each of the many cultures that set foot on Spanish soil have left their culinary mark. Historically, different regions have eaten what’s readily available to them, be it olives from sprawling countryside groves or shellfish from the waters of the Med. And the Spanish love of gathering and socialising is reflected in tapas culture, a way of eating that brings people together.

For acclaimed Spanish chef and Local Food Hero José Pizarro, his passion for fresh, simple, seasonal ingredients showcases the best of Spanish cuisine. Originally from Cáceres, Spain, José grew up on a farm being inspired by the scents emanating from his mother and grandmother’s kitchens. His glittering career has seen him work in some of the finest Spanish restaurants in Madrid and London, including Eyre Brothers and Brindisa. He is a regular on cookery programmes, the food festival scene and has written five cook books.

 

José is bringing his talents to Arvia and Iona with his bespoke tapas menus for The Glass House as well as creating street-food-style dishes for Taste 360. On selected cruises, you can join José for cookery demos and to learn about his influences and inspirations in exclusive Q&As.

 

Find out more about José Pizarro

2. Caribbean

Sunshine, spice and everything nice… Caribbean food pairs perfectly with the region’s vibrant climate and culture. Few things are more evocative of a sunny holiday than a seafood bounty at a shoreside restaurant; a plate of jerk chicken from a roadside stand; or a cupful of rum punch as you watch the sky turn from blue to pink and purple.

Once you’ve got a taste of island life, you can recreate the magic on board. Local Food Hero Shivi Ramoutar grew up in Trinidad where she was surrounded by plates brimming with passion and flavour from an early age. Having sealed her reputation as the queen of contemporary Caribbean cooking Shivi can be regularly found on TV and is currently the resident chef on Kate Garraway’s ITV Saturday show.
 

Shivi will be cooking up her mouthwatering recipes for Arvia’s maiden season in the Caribbean in 2023. And you can celebrate the zesty flavours of this sun-drenched region by tasting her exclusive range of dishes in Taste 360 and The Beach House. The Jerk Chicken Supreme is a must-try – it’s like sunshine on a plate. On selected cruises, you can join Shivi for cookery demos and to learn about her influences and inspirations in exclusive Q&As.

 

Find out more about Shivi Ramoutar

3. Norwegian Fjords

In Norway, nature is everything and everywhere. It’s in the otherworldly beauty of its landscapes; in the unique relationship between locals and the land; it’s all you’ll see as you cruise through the fjords with towering cliffs rising alongside as you cut through the deep-blue waters.
 

In a place where nature is so revered, it’s no surprise its food follows suit. Norwegian cuisine is built on locally grown ingredients and the methods used to preserve through the long winters – think fresh fish that swim in cold mountain water, lambs that graze on salt marshes, beetroots picked from a small local island. 

Kjarten in front of wall

Norwegian chef, restaurateur and Local Food Hero Kjartan Skjelde is proud to bring an authentic taste of Norway to P&O Cruises. Kjartan was born and raised in Stavanger, Norway, and still lives and works there today as the founder of two restaurants: Tango and Fish & Cow brasserie. He is a high-profile chef locally, having appeared as a judge on TV series MasterChef Norway and Camp Kulinaris and has penned four cook books.
 

Kjartan places his focus on produce and provenance, good ingredients and cooking from scratch. He uses seasonal produce, making the most of the wilds of Norway and he is keen to bring Nordic fine dining to the world stage. He is creating a bespoke six-course taster menu exclusively for Epicurean on Iona. On selected cruises, you can join Kjartan for cookery demos and to learn about his influences and inspirations in exclusive Q&As.

 

Find out more about Kjartan Skjelde

4. USA

The United States is known for its hospitality and comfort-food classics, and you’ll find a generous helping of both at 6th Street Diner on Arvia. Tuck into tasty treats like fried chicken and waffles with bourbon mascarpone, soda glass milkshakes and more, all from the comfort of retro seating and with a jukebox playing classic tunes.

5. Italy

Italy boasts an almost unfair amount of culinary exports, but few are as sweetly satisfying as gelato. That's why we've teamed up with Snowflake Luxury Gelato to serve up scoopfuls of holiday happiness on Arvia and Iona.

Blending the best of both British and Italian culture, you can choose from a range of artisanal flavours, all lovingly handcrafted from quality ingredients. And there's far more on offer than stylishly served cones: you'll find gelato cakes, sundaes, customisable sticks and cookies and even a three-tiered gelato afternoon tea.

6. Japan

Sushi is a delicate art and one revered in its homeland of Japan. At Green & Co feat. Mizuhana on board Arvia, we use fresh, top-quality fish to create beautiful plates of sushi. So, whether you’re a novice or a connoisseur, you can enjoy the fresh and delicate flavours of dishes like Highland salmon nigiri and yellowfin tuna and spring onion maki, prepared fresh at the sushi bar.

7. India

The delicate spices, harmonious flavours and evocative aromas of India are on the menu at Sindhu on all of our ships. In the evenings, à la carte dishes are crafted by expert chefs in an exquisite fusion of contemporary and classic Indian cuisines. And don’t miss out on sea days when more informal lighter bites are available with the traditional tiffin lunch.