Hosted dinner with Jose Pizarro in the Cookery Club on board Britannia at sea between Arrecife and Cadiz, Spain during press trip B417N. Client: P&O Cruises. Picture date: Saturday July 13, 2024. Photograph by Christopher Ison © 07544044177 chris@christopherison.com www.christopherison.com IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING IMAGE LICENCING FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPH: This image is supplied to the client under the terms previously agree. No sales are permitted unless expressly agreed in writing by the photographer. Image licence is for below the line only. No out of home use without acquiring an extended image licence.
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Spotlight on Food Heroes cruises

Ever wondered who our P&O Cruises Food Heroes are or what happens on a Food Heroes cruise? Read on to discover more about the experts, experiences and encounters that will take your holiday to the next level.

15 min 12 May 2025

Editorial Team

Author

Food and travel are the perfect pairing when it comes to unforgettable experiences. That’s why we go above and beyond to put fabulous dining at the heart of your holiday. It’s also why we’ve teamed up with some of the best food and wine experts in the business to create menus, activities and experiences that will make your holidays with us even more memorable.

 

From menus and wine lists crafted by culinary greats to live cookery demonstrations and intimate hosted dinners, our Food Heroes add an exciting and enriching dimension to your time on board. They also bring to life the cuisine of the destinations you visit, helping you to explore local flavours on ship and on shore.

 

And the best thing? It’s all available above and beyond the amazing experiences that come as part and parcel of your holiday. 

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Meet your Food Heroes

Naturally, our Food Heroes are experts in their field. But it’s their passion, charm and unique personalities that set them apart – and it’s what you’ll love when you meet them up close, hear their stories and learn their tricks of the trade

Marco Pierre White

Learn from a legend of Great British cuisine. World-renowned chef Marco Pierre White has been pushing culinary boundaries for over 40 years and is widely regarded as having put British cuisine back on the gastronomy map. The opportunity to meet and learn from such an iconic chef is unique, but more impressive, perhaps, are the unforgettable experiences shaped by Marco’s warmth and humour when sharing his knowledge and his practical approach to making dishes you’ll love.

 

Across the fleet, Marco’s Celebration Night menus are a treat for all, and, as patron of The Cookery Club on Britannia, he’ll join you for masterclasses and hosted dinners. When he’s on board Arvia and Iona, you’ll enjoy live cooking demos, insightful Q&A sessions and book signings.

Jose Pizarro in the Cookery Club on board Britannia at sea between Arrecife and Cadiz, Spain during press trip B417N. Client: P&O Cruises. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024. Photograph by Christopher Ison © 07544044177 chris@christopherison.com www.christopherison.com IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING IMAGE LICENCING FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPH: This image is supplied to the client under the terms previously agree. No sales are permitted unless expressly agreed in writing by the photographer. Image licence is for below the line only. No out of home use without acquiring an extended image licence.

José Pizzaro

Spanish flavours come alive with José. The renowned Spanish chef and restaurant owner celebrates the best local ingredients and delicious dishes in his many recipe books and TV appearances – and you can enjoy his creations for yourself on Arvia.

 

You’ll love José’s bespoke tapas menu for The Glass House (with a glass of Spanish wine, of course), and don’t miss his relaxed street-food-style dishes at Taste 360. You’ll meet the maestro of fresh flavours on selected Mediterranean cruises on Arvia, where he’ll welcome you to the wonders of Spanish cuisine through live cookery demonstrations, Q&As and book signings. And, when wine expert Olly Smith is also on board, don’t miss hosted tapas and wine events at The Glass House.

Kjartan Skjelde, Norwegian P&O Food hero and Chef on board Iona, whilst on a Norwegian Ffjord cruise.

Kjartan Skjelde

Welcome to Kjartan’s world of fresh Nordic flavours. The renowned chef, restaurant owner and MasterChef Norway judge is in his element creating unforgettable dining experiences at Epicurean on Iona when the ship sails the Norwegian fjords.

 

His focus on seasonal produce and ingredients evoking the wilds of Norway has brought Nordic fine dining to the world stage. He’s proud to share this with you in his bespoke six-course taster menu available exclusively at Epicurean on Iona. With dishes featuring coastal lamb, mountain trout, forest mushrooms and cloudberries, Kjartan’s menu from the heart takes you on an unforgettable gastronomic journey around Norway.

Shivi Ramoutar photographed for P&OC by Alun Callender commissioned by Sunday

Shivi Ramoutar

Let the Queen of contemporary Caribbean cooking serve you some sunshine on a plate. Shivi, who grew up in Trinidad, is on a mission to show you the bold, colourful flavours and the joy of Caribbean food. Her cookbooks and many TV appearances have introduced audiences to her vibrant fusion food with recipes that embrace the many culinary influences of her own life.

 

With Arvia and Britannia Caribbean cruises, you can celebrate the zesty flavours of this sun-drenched region by tasting Shivi's exclusive range of dishes in Taste 360 and The Beach House. And what better way to embrace the concept of limin’ with Shivi than at a special Sundowner event, where drinks and canapés are served as Arvia sets sail from Martinique?

Olly Smith

Good times are guaranteed when Olly is on board. The vivacious author, columnist and TV cookery show favourite loves nothing more than sharing his passion and expertise with you at wine tasting masterclasses in The Glass House. He’ll guide you through a handpicked selection, helping you to discover each wine’s terroir and unique qualities, and offer his advice on pairing wines with food to bring out the best in both. He’ll also enjoy spending time with you and answering your burning questions at Q&A sessions and book signings.

 

At The Glass House, which Olly heads up, you’ll enjoy exploring a wine list cherry-picked by Olly together with his favourite wine pairings for a selection of dishes. When Local Food Hero José Pizarro is also on board, Olly and José present special tapas and wine events.