Oceania Chef: Kathryn Kelly

AS THE EXECUTIVE CHEF & DIRECTOR OF CULINARY ENRICHMENT FOR OCEANIA CRUISES, KATHRYN KELLY HAS EVOLVED THE WAY TRAVELERS HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND GLOBAL CUISINES WHILE EXPLORING THE WORLD BY SEA. OFFERING HANDS-ON COOKING CLASSES AND SMALL GROUP, CHEF-LED CULINARY DISCOVERY TOURS, SHE GIVES GUESTS A TASTE OF PLACE THROUGH FOOD, WINE AND GREAT COMPANY.

INTERVIEW BY TERRILYN KUNOPASKI

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH OCEANIA.

The hospitality industry perfectly fits my personality. I feel so rewarded when I anticipate the needs of our guests and am able to implement what I do to make their cruise special and unique. I also work around many other crew and officers who share that passion, which makes the Oceania team feel like a family and why I’m so happy working for this company.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR CLASSES ARE LIKE ONBOARD WITH OCEANIA.

We are the only hands-on cooking school at sea which makes it a very special experience for our guests. They put on an apron and for two hours are up to their elbows in pasta, knife work, regional recipes and culinary techniques. Unlike other cooking schools, we are not a demonstration kitchen – we are the ‘real deal.’

HOW DO YOU BRING DESTINATIONS THAT ARE ON DIFFERENT ITINERARIES INTO THE FOOD CREATED WITH GUESTS ONBOARD AN OCEANIA CRUISE?

We have a very well-developed Culinary Discovery Tours program which are led by my chef team instructors in some of the most exciting destinations worldwide. I have personally designed over 40 unique and immersive tours, all of which are well thought out with the local food and culture at the forefront.

WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR CULINARY DISCOVERY TOURS COME FROM?

Eight years ago, guests started asking me where I would go when we were in various ports. I started taking them with me to local markets and my favorite places, and that is where the idea of Culinary Discovery Tours was born. It’s so rewarding that they are now one of the most popular tour programs we offer. I think it’s important that they always stay small in size and be led by one of my chef instructors. This makes them quite a unique and prized experience.

WHY, IN YOUR OPINION, IS CRUISING AS A GOOD WAY FOR TRAVELERS TO BE INTRODUCED TO DIFFERENT FOOD, PLACES AND CULTURES?

On Oceania Cruises, there are a lot of opportunities to learn from our diverse and experienced teams. As a culinary-centric experience, our culture is to encourage our guests to go out and explore. The best way to be introduced to different food, places and cultures is to experience them; Oceania makes it easy for guests to do just that.