Celebrity chefs have become a must-have for every cruise line. The latest is Curtis Stone.

This week, Princess announced an exclusive partnership with the Aussie-born food icon best known for his budget meals for a certain supermarket chain.

But there is more to Mr Stone than meets the eye. He is also a phenomenally popular restaurant chef, particularly in the United States. His specialty dining and meal offerings will be rolled out across Princess’ 18-ship fleet over this year and next.

But he is not alone. Here, we profile four of the best-known seafaring galley stars – and share some of their remarks about each other.

 

Curtis Stone, Princess Cruises

Age: 39

Born: Melbourne, Australia

Restaurant: Maude, California

Michelin stars: Zero

Cookbooks: Cooking With CurtisGood Food, Good LifeRelaxed Cooking With Curtis StoneSurfing The MenuSurfing The Menu Again; What’s For Dinner?

Curtis on Jamie Oliver: “Jamie is a big voice and he preaches – you know his show is called The Food Revolution. So he’s there talking about healthy food and you’ve got to practice what you preach.”

 

Jamie Oliver, Royal Caribbean International

Age: 40

Born: Clavering, Essex, England

Restaurants: Barbecoa, London; Fifteen, London; Jamie’s Italian, Australia and the UK; Jamie Oliver’s Diner, London; Recipease, London; Union Jacks, London

Michelin stars: Zero

Cookbooks: Cook With JamieHappy Days With The Naked ChefJamie At HomeJamie Does…Jamie’s 15-Minute MealsJamie’s 30-Minute MealsJamie’s AmericaJamie’s Comfort FoodJamie’s DinnersJamie’s Great BritainJamie’s ItalyJamie’s KitchenJamie’s Ministry Of FoodSave With JamieThe Naked ChefThe Return Of The Naked Chef

Jamie on Gordon Ramsay: “He is too busy shouting and screaming and making our industry look like a bunch of shouters and screamers. He’s just a ranter, he’s paid to rant. He’s paid to shower negativity and all his proteges don’t talk to him because he’s like that and it’s a shame.”

 

Luke Mangan, P&O Australia

Age: 45

Born: Melbourne, Australia

Restaurants:Amilla Fushi, Maldives; glass, Sydney; Lonu by Luke Mangan, Maldives; mojo by Luke Mangan, Sydney; Salt, Tokyo; Salt grill, Surfers Paradise; Salt grill, Jakarta; Salt grill & Sky bar, Singapore; Salt tapas & bar, Singapore; World Wine Bar, Tokyo

Michelin stars: Zero

Cookbooks: At Home & In The MoodSalt GrillThe Making Of A Chef

Luke Mangan on the state of today’s young workers: “I get apprentices’ mums calling and saying about Little Johnny: ‘You’re working him 50 hours a week!’ My mum and dad would drop me off at the train station and make darn sure I worked 50 hours a week – work that out!”

 

Marco Pierre White, P&O UK 

Age: 53

Born: Leeds, UK

Restaurants: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, several in the UK; Marco’s New York Italian, several in the UK; Wheeler’s of St James’ Oyster Bar & Grill Room, London

Michelin stars: Three

Cookbooks: Hell’s KitchenGreat British FeastHell’s KitchenMarco Made EasyWhite HeatWild Food From Land & Sea

Marco on Jamie Oliver: “I’d rather be who I am than a fat chef with a drum kit … Go and win your first Michelin star, Jamie, and then I might take you seriously.”

Ouch!