Published on
October 14, 2025
Oceania Cruises, a leader in culinary and destination-focused luxury cruises, has announced an exciting collaboration for its newest ship, Oceania Allura. For the first time, Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs alumni will serve as the official godparents of the ship, breaking tradition by honoring a culinary brand rather than an individual. This unique partnership reflects Oceania Cruises’ unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, creativity, and global discovery, all while bringing innovative dining experiences to travelers at sea.
A Culinary Milestone: Best New Chefs as Godparents
The prestigious godparent role for Oceania Allura will be held by a distinguished group of chefs who are alumni of the acclaimed Food & Wine Best New Chefs program. The chefs, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendes, and Lawrence ‘LT’ Smith, will participate in the ship’s christening ceremony in Miami on November 13, 2025. During this event, the chefs will officiate the traditional ceremony of breaking a Champagne bottle across the ship’s bow, wishing good fortune for Oceania Allura and all those who sail aboard her.
This historic collaboration highlights the culinary legacy of the Best New Chefs program, which has honored nearly 400 rising stars since 1988, revolutionizing how people experience food and drink. By bestowing the godparent title on the program itself, Oceania Cruises continues to push the boundaries of culinary innovation at sea, offering travelers a gastronomic journey like no other.
Oceania Allura: A Culinary Haven at Sea
Oceania Allura, which made its debut in July 2025, promises to elevate the luxury cruise experience with a focus on exceptional cuisine. The ship features twelve distinct culinary venues, including four always complimentary specialty dining options: Jacques, a classic French restaurant, Red Ginger, an elegant pan-Asian eatery, Toscana, serving authentic Italian fare, and the sophisticated Polo Grill, a top-tier steakhouse.
New to Oceania Cruises is the Crêperie, offering delectable French crêpes, Belgian waffles, and Italian ice cream sundaes, adding to the ship’s diverse culinary offerings. To further enhance the onboard experience, Oceania Allura boasts an unmatched ratio of one chef for every eight guests, ensuring top-tier personalized service and a focus on quality at every meal. The return of Jacques and other signature dining options underscores the brand’s commitment to gastronomic excellence while maintaining its position as a leader in the luxury cruise sector.
In addition to its refined dining venues, Oceania Allura houses an expansive, hands-on Culinary Center and Chef’s Studio, where guests can participate in cooking classes, interactive food experiences, and culinary demonstrations by expert chefs. These exclusive, immersive experiences allow passengers to learn from world-renowned culinary talents and discover new techniques and recipes during their voyage.
A Celebration of Culinary Innovation
The christening of Oceania Allura and its partnership with Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs alumni celebrates culinary diversity, innovation, and creativity in the world of dining. Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs have long been at the forefront of redefining how we eat, and with Oceania Cruises, their influence will extend far beyond land-based restaurants to inspire luxury cruise dining.
Throughout the ship’s christening ceremony, Oceania Cruises will pay homage to these visionary chefs, each representing a unique aspect of modern gastronomy. Tavel Bristol-Joseph, known for his innovative pastry creations, and Katie Button, celebrated for her modern take on Spanish cuisine, are just two examples of the diverse talents that will help shape the Oceania Allura’s culinary identity.
The Role of Oceania Cruises in Culinary Excellence
Oceania Cruises continues to set the gold standard for luxury cruising, blending exceptional food with destination immersion. This milestone partnership is a testament to the brand’s commitment to culinary excellence and its dedication to offering guests an unforgettable dining experience both on land and at sea. Through the introduction of Oceania Allura, guests will be able to explore the world’s finest cuisines, prepared by some of the best chefs in the industry, while visiting some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
As Oceania Allura embarks on its maiden voyages, guests can expect an immersive culinary experience that celebrates food, culture, and global discovery. The partnership with Food & Wine Best New Chefs ensures that Oceania Allura will be a true destination for food lovers seeking the finest dining experience at sea.
A New Era of Culinary Exploration at Sea
Oceania Cruises’ partnership with Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs signals a significant moment in the advancement of luxury cruising. Oceania Allura is named while highlighting world-class cuisine and culinary innovation, reinforcing the brand’s place in the cruise market as a true leader. By pairing culinary excellence and travel experience using good food and immersive cultures, Oceania Cruises will continue to offer its guests unrivalled journeys showcasing the world’s many cultures and flavours of cuisine. With the Best New Chefs alumni as godparents to Oceania Allura, she will be the shining star of culinary discovery in luxury cruising, and memories will be produced that last longer than the journey itself.
