Celebrity Cruises sumptuous enhancements to culinary dining

Celebrity Cruises has made an array of enhancements to its award-winning dining experience. Celebrity Cruises culinary program is a central element of “Celebrity’s Star Treatment” and now has more than 200 new menu offerings, upgraded casual dining area and a whole new brunch selection.

Celebrity Cruises Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations is Jacques Van Staden, a hugely respected and successful chef and restaurateur who joined Celebrity Cruises a year old. According to Jacques Van Staden, the enhancements were initiated by results from extensive guest surveys and monitoring of trends in the food and beverage industry and a keen finger on the pulse of innovation.

"Our objective is to set the trend, not follow it," said Van Staden. "That's what makes a great dining experience. You have to shake things up now and then, and regularly introduce new and different offerings, along with the items our guests tell us they can't live without."

Evening menus are so extensive now that even guests traveling on one of Celebrity Cruises 14 night itineraries will not be presented with the same menu twice.

Dining on the rocks

A number of enhancements have been made to Celebrity Cruises café/casual dining area on every ship. These include modernising the atmosphere, upgrading signage and equipment and increasing the menu selection.

One interesting and imaginative enhancement in the lido/casual dining area is the replacement of ice with chilled river rocks throughout the self serve buffet area. Presented on the rocks of hundreds of new meal options and there are also made to order areas and more destination influenced cuisines including Asian, Italian, Mediterranean and Middle East.

Late night feast

For guests travelling on one of Celebrity Cruises ships who enjoy a late night feast, an ‘after-theatre’ menu has been introduced in Cova Café offering guests late-night desserts, sandwiches and specialty coffees.

"Our guests enjoyed the service and presentation of 'Gourmet Bites,' but very few actually indulged in them," said Van Staden. "The new options in Cova Cafe allow guests who are interested in late-night dining a light, varied menu, featuring sandwiches, savories, tartlets, hot brochettes, canapés, artisan cheeses, fresh fruit, crackers, petit fours and napoleons."

Celebrity's Cova Cafe presents the new late-night menu from 11 pm to closing.

Gala brunch

The once-per-cruise gala midnight buffet has been replaced with a sumptuous brunch in the main dining room, with highlights such as Celebrity Cruises famous ice, ffruit and vegetable carvings.

"Our guests loved viewing the elaborate creations we presented at the midnight gala buffet, but very few wanted to actually eat that late," said Van Staden. "Now, we still proudly present our culinary team's great artistry, but at a time when our guests can thoroughly enjoy it."

Guests can enjoy the lavish brunch which will have a huge variety of fresh fruits; made to order smoothies; gourmet cheeses; cold cuts; salads; sandwiches; meats and seafood; pizzas, paninis and wraps; sushi and stir fry selections; eggs of every style and delicious desserts ranging from individual, bite sized to sorbet and ice cream.

Celebrity Cruises new ship Celebrity Equinox is due to set sail in 2009.