Oceania Cruises appoints Master Chefs of France as culinary directors

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Oceania Cruises, renowned for its culinary and destination-oriented approach to cruising, has appointed Chef Alexis Quaretti and Chef Eric Barale, both distinguished as Master Chefs of France, as its executive culinary directors. They take over from Jacques Pépin, the esteemed chef and architect of Oceania Cruises’ culinary ethos, The Finest Cuisine at Sea®.

While Pépin transitions into the role of executive culinary advisor, he remains integral to Oceania Cruises. Additionally, the collaboration between Pépin and the cruise line will persist through their shared commitment to philanthropic endeavors, notably through The Jacques Pépin Foundation, an initiative Oceania Cruises has steadfastly supported since its inception.

“It’s truly remarkable to have two Master Chefs of France leading our culinary team,” said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “Chefs Alex and Eric are the next generation of our culinary innovation and will continue the evolution of our foodie story, carrying forward Jacques’ incredible legacy.”

Jacques Pépin commented, “I am so proud to be passing the baton to these two phenomenally talented chefs who have worked alongside me for the past twenty years. It’s a true pleasure to see how the line’s culinary innovation flourishes year after year and I look forward to championing Chefs Alex and Eric further by being here for any advice or guidance needed. I look forward to dedicating more of my time to my charitable undertakings through The Jacques Pépin Foundation.”

Oceania Cruises proudly stands as the sole cruise line with the distinction of featuring two Master Chefs of France, with both Chef Alex and Chef Eric attaining the prestigious honor of being inducted into the esteemed Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.

Both chefs boast extensive tenures within the culinary team, with Eric holding the distinction of being among the inaugural members of Oceania Cruises’ culinary family, while Alex joined shortly after in 2004. Their harmonious blend of expertise, years of experience, and unified vision form an ideal partnership poised to safeguard and advance the cruise line’s culinary narrative.

“With Allura launching in 2025, we will have eight ships in the fleet and more than 40 restaurants constantly circulating the globe, and having these two talented executive culinary directors at the helm means we can maintain our laser focus on serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea,” added Del Rio.

Chefs Alex and Eric are set to be part of an illustrious gathering of globally acclaimed chefs at the forthcoming Jacques Pépin Foundation Gala in New York City on April 4th.

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Chef Alexis Quaretti achieved the honor of being inducted into the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France in May 2023. Notably, he was sponsored into the program by Chef Eric Barale, his esteemed colleague at Oceania Cruises, who had himself been welcomed into this esteemed group in 2010.

The Master Chefs of France association, founded in 1951, is committed to promoting and supporting French culinary arts worldwide. Its members, serving as ambassadors of French gastronomy and culture, bear the responsibility of passing on this rich heritage to their apprentices.

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