P&O’s Luke Mangan has selected two home cooks as part of the Search for a CEO (Culinary Experience Officer) campaign.

Sammy Jubuiak and Sofia Levin were short-listed, personally by Luke and P&O Cruise President Sture Myrmell to create a dish for the Salt Grill restaurants onboard all P&O ships.

To wow the judges, Sammy created an orange and amaretto cheesecake and Sofia made a beetroot cured kingfish fish.

“To have five Salt grill restaurants at sea speaks volumes about P&O’s innovative approach to cruise cuisine as well as Australians’ love of good food, and I’m thrilled they’ve been a partner in my search for a CEO,” Luke said.

Sammy said, “I’m excited for the chance to create a dish with one of Australia’s biggest foodie personalities. I can learn so much from Luke!”

Sofia said of her selection: “Cooking kingfish for Luke, the crown prince of kingfish, was a gamble – evidently one that paid off! I’m honoured to be through to the finals and keen to see what I can create for P&O.”

Luke said the two home cooks are extremely talented and was excited to see what they would come up with.

Mangan commented on the pair’s selection: “The standard of home cooks here in Australia is exceptional; a product of the passion and produce this nation has on tap. So much so we couldn’t pick just one!”

“The huge pool of outstanding Australian expertise in the food and beverage industry has really shone through during my search for a CEO, with a huge amount of applications showing amazing talent from across the country. The aim of the campaign is to showcase what Australia has to offer to an international audience, via my network of restaurants and brand partnerships.”