We work with the brightest lights of the culinary scene, our Food Heroes, to bring you innovative, delicious menus and exclusive foodie experiences. You can also spend time with our Food Heroes on Iona. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the masters, perhaps sitting down for a coffee with Eric in Vistas Café Bar or a glass of wine in The Glass House with Olly. Our Food Heroes will be joining Iona’s summer holidays to Norway where Marco will host interactive shows, Eric will join you for afternoon tea in The Epicurean and Olly will join you on a foodie experience ashore

You can enjoy a taste for discovery– be inspired by their skills at interactive cookery shows, masterclasses, private hosted dinners, and more; a taste for the exquisite at our Food Heroes’ on-board dining venues; and a taste for the authentic– the chance to get up close and personal with the best in the business, both on board and on a carefully crafted Food Heroes shore experience.

Update on 2021 departures

The recent announcement extending our pause of operations has meant that some of our Food Hero cruises have been affected. We are all so sorry for the disappointment this will cause to our guests who had booked on one of these cruises, and were looking forward to meeting Marco, Olly and Eric.

Once we know more about our sailings from early 2021, we will look to reschedule our Food Heroes on board.

Known the world over, Marco Pierre White has pushed the boundaries of cuisine for over 30 years. In the 1990s he took the restaurant scene by storm, becoming the youngest ever chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. Today, Marco’s passion for serving up superb dishes continues with P&O Cruises. Marco’s innovative Gala Evening menus are a treat for all and his regular appearances on Britannia and new for 2020 – Iona, allow you to meet the man himself. On Iona, he will host interactive cooking shows as well as Q&A sessions, serving up answers to all of your culinary qualms. As the patron of The Cookery Club, Marco hosts masterclasses and dinners when on board Britannia, bringing his expertise to the table. 

On-board activities with Marco Pierre White >

The irrepressible, award-winning wine expert and passionate foodie, Olly Smith heads up The Glass House restaurant and bar with P&O Cruises. You might recognise him as the regular wine expert on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. In The Glass House, he brings the world of wine to you – varieties from all four corners of the globe, by the glass, by the bottle, and if you fancy, by a plate of fabulous food. There are also helpful suggestions in the menu on how best to match your chosen wine with the food you order. And you’ll find The Glass House is now available on Iona, too! You can even join Olly on an authentic foodie experience ashore when travelling on Iona.

On-board activities with Olly Smith >

Master pâtissier Eric Lanlard has earned himself an international reputation for superlative baked creations. He is, according to Vanity Fair magazine, one of the best pâtissiers in the world. Visit Britannia’s Market Café or Vistas Café Bar on Iona to sample his fine pâtisseries and you’ll soon see why. Afternoon Tea by Eric Lanlard is also not to be missed. The playful reinvention of this British tradition takes teatime decadence to a new level, with creations such as porcini and pancetta éclairs and saffron and mango verrines. On Iona, you can join Eric himself for Afternoon Tea, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with the master pâtissier. He also hosts masterclasses and dinners when on board Britannia, bringing his charisma to the whole experience.

On-board experiences with Eric Lanlard >