MSC Cruises’ announces all-star international chef line

It promises to be a dining experiences like no other. MSC Cruises has announced a gourmet dining experience on their 2019 World Cruise onboard MSC Magnifica with an all-star list of nine international chefs.

The line-up features current as well as former three-, two- and one-star Michelin chefs, chefs of the year, award-winning cookbook authors as well as recipients of other international culinary recognitions. “At MSC Cruises, we are passionate about delivering a high quality, international dining experience for our guests. The 2019 World Cruise top chef programme is taking this commitment to yet the next level,” says Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises CEO. “By bringing together a uniquely international all-star cast of some of the world’s leading chefs to create these dedicated dining experiences, we will truly immerse our guests in the cultures and the flavours of many of the incredible destinations that they will visit along their journey on MSC Magnifica.” The chefs that will be creating their own special dishes for MSC Cruises guests include:

• Michelin-starred Spanish Chef Ramón Freixa
• Decorated Indian-American Chef Vikas Khanna
• Award-winning Italian Chef Carlo Cracco
• Two-time World Champion in pastry, French Chef Jean-Philippe Maury
• Restauranteur, cookbook author and Chef Roy Yamaguchi
• Expert in all four schools of Chinese cooking, Chef Jereme Leung
• Veteran chef and restauranteur, Brazilian Chef Allan Vila Espejo
• MasterChef Colombia jury member Chef Jorge Rausch
• Sydney Morning Herald’s “Chef of the Year”, French-Canadian Chef Serge Dansereau

When each chef comes onboard, guests will get to enjoy a specially developed three or four-course menu, with Pastry Chef Jean-Philippe Maury preparing a custom dessert to finish off the gastronomic experience. Between each of these special evenings, MSC Cruises’ own star Corporate Chef Francesco Laforgia and Corporate Pastry Chef Bruno Zaza will delight guests with 237 different menus for the main restaurants, including thematic dishes that are linked to the itinerary of the ship and will also be served at the Sahara Buffet. Guests on board MSC Magnifica, on her epic 2019 World Cruise that will depart in a month’s time on 5th January 2019 from Genoa, Italy. This sailing has long sold out but there are still a few choice cabins available on the 2020 World Cruise departing 5 January, 2020. Her next journey around the globe includes 43 destinations across 23 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Chile, India, Oman and more. For the ultimate foodies, below is a glimpse of the menus that the top chefs will be bringing to the guests on board:

Barcelona, Spain – 8 January

Spanish Michelin-starred Chef Ramón Freixa will extend his existing collaboration with MSC Cruises with a menu on the evening of 8^th January, featuring delightful Duck Royale with cream of foie gras and other Mediterranean flavours, such as sautéed scallops and a white chocolate mousse with champagne jelly.

At sea – 15 January

The next chef to feature on board MSC Magnifica will be star Chef Allan Vila Espejo, from Brazil. Giving guests culinary insight into his rich culture, he will present his full signature four courses menu for the Brazilian-themed dinner on 15^th January.

Cartagena, Colombia – 24 January

A MasterChef Colombia alum, Chef Jorge Rausch knows the ins and outs of what it takes to put together a masterful meal. Sharing his Colombian roots, Chef Rausch has designed a meal experience that will feature octopus and shrimp ceviche, white fish Boronia and his own spin on a local dish, Posta Negra Cartagenera tipo Rausch: braised pork rib cooked in tamarind and panela, with plantain and coconut rice.

San Diego, U.S. – 5 February

Considered by many to be one of the best pastry chefs in the world, French-born Chef Jean-Philippe Maury will embark in San Diego, home to his latest venture iDessert. The leading pastry chef and chocolatier will tempt guests’ taste buds with his dessert creation, unveiling a chocolate “CroustiChoc” that anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy.

Honolulu, Hawaii – 17 February

Japanese-American Chef Roy Yamaguchi brings his signature Asian flavours to MSC Magnifica with a mouth-watering dedicated menu, including Misoyaki butter fish, lobster and shrimp char-sui fried rice, grilled teriyaki double pork chop with Hawaiian chimichurri sauce and a vanilla pannacotta with magnolia ice cream for dessert.

At Sea – 20 March

Renowned Sydney-based Chef Serge Dansereau will join MSC Magnifica in mid-March, where he will entrance guests with an exclusive menu of yellowfin tuna tartar, Lamb loin, potato gratin and a chocolate gateau with lemon curd and hazelnut crumble to finish.

Singapore – 2 April

Acclaimed Chinese Chef Jereme Leung has worked with MSC Cruises for the past three years and will once again delight our guests with a delicious menu to be remembered, featuring a three-course dining experience featuring an Asian medley of winter melon soup, Curry chicken and Cheng Teng dessert.

Male, the Maldives – 10 April

Indian sensation Chef Vikas Khanna joins the ship for the last leg of her journey, serving a flavour-filled menu inspired by his home country, including Carom fried fish with tamarind date chutney and kale salad, Mumbai coconut lemon and spinach soup and Masala chicken roulade with figs. To top it all off, a Saffron yogurt pudding with spiced, roasted apples and fennel biscotti. Finally, Italian Chef Carlo Cracco – another long-time MSC Cruises partner – will join the ship as the final chef in this incredible line-up, as she makes her way back to through the Mediterranean and returns to Italy. The details of the final, one-of-a-kind dining experience featuring Carlo Cracco will be announced separately in due course.